Light of India - A Conflagration of Indian Matchbox Art

Our good pal Tom Rooney of Pavlov's Togs brought by this wonderful book Light of India, A Conflagration of Indian Matchbox Art, by for me to thumb through and drool over a while back. I am FINALLY taking the time to scan it and post about it (then sadly give it back).

This colorful book is a dazzling collection of more than 300 vintage matchbox labels from India, dating from the turn of the century through the 1950s, each one is even better than the one before. Abounding with pouncing Bengal tigers, regal jungle elephants, and Hindu gods and goddesses, each miniature masterpiece is so skillfully produced, yet some done ever so simply. I could look at this book time and time again and find something new to look at each time.

Here are just a few of my favs: