THE ZAIRA & MARCEL MIS COLLECTION | TEXTILE ARTS
214 LOTS, NO RESERVES

Live Showroom Auction: Wednesday, January 29, 2025, 11AM ET
Public Exhibition: January 26-27-28, 11AM-4PM

 

Zaira and Marcel Mis shared a deep passion for costumes and textiles. Over three decades, they amassed an extensive collection that spanned textiles from across the globe. Their fascination lay in the techniques, graphic appeal, and historical contexts of these pieces.

Marcel, who grew up in Turkey and worked in the fashion industry, developed a keen curiosity about how people from diverse cultures expressed themselves through dress. He was captivated by the variety and intricacy of embroidery, beadwork, and woven silks that adorned traditional costumes, as well as the remarkable skill and care involved in their creation.

Zaira, raised in Italy, owned an art gallery, Artiscope, which specialized in Italian art. Her work in the gallery nurtured her appreciation for the graphic beauty of textiles and costumes.

Together, Zaira and Marcel sought out the finest examples of textiles and costumes during their travels. They purchased from established dealers and were enthusiastic regulars at the Hali Fair in London. Over the years, their dedication resulted in an extraordinary collection.

Their passion for collecting also extended to publishing. They released two books documenting their collection. The first, Asian Costumes and Textiles: From the Bosphorus to Fujiama, showcased their Asian costume collection, much of which was later acquired by the National Palace Museum in Taiwan. The second book, African Costumes and Textiles from the Berbers to the Zulus, highlighted their African collection. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art acquired the Sub-Saharan portion of this collection, while a significant group of North African pieces is being offered in this sale.

With Marcel’s passing, Zaira has decided to share their collection with fellow enthusiasts who can appreciate and cherish the pieces as they once did.

BUYER’S PREMIUM: IN-HOUSE, PHONE, ABSENTEE: 25%

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