Indian textiles, paintings and metalwork are made for a hot, often humid climate, and they travel well with a little care. Here is how to display and look after them at home, wherever you live.
The basics for everything
Keep pieces out of direct sunlight, which fades dyes and paper quickly. Avoid hanging them over radiators, fireplaces or in bathrooms and kitchens. Steady, moderate temperature and humidity matter more than any particular number. Handle with clean, dry hands.
Textiles
Store saris, shawls and embroidery rolled around an acid-free tube, or folded loosely with acid-free tissue in the folds, and refold them along different lines every few months. Keep them in cotton bags rather than plastic, which traps moisture. Check for moths, especially in wool and silk. Many natural dyes and hand prints bleed, so dry-clean or seek specialist advice rather than machine washing. Zari (metallic thread) work should never be ironed directly.
To hang a textile, sew a fabric sleeve along the top so the weight is spread evenly, rather than pinning or nailing it.
Paintings on paper and cloth
Frame works on paper, such as Madhubani and Kalighat paintings, with acid-free mounts and UV-filtering glass, and make sure the glass does not touch the paint. Painted cloth like Pichwai and Kalamkari can be stretched on a padded board or hung with a sleeve. Our Collectors’ Corner has more on framing.
Metal, stone, wood and clay
Dust brass and bronze with a soft brush; avoid metal polish on old pieces, as the dark patina is part of their value. Dhokra should not be polished bright. Keep silver in anti-tarnish cloth. Wooden toys and masks dislike sudden changes in humidity, which can crack them. Unglazed terracotta is porous, so keep it dry and away from damp walls.
Sources
Main sources: Victoria and Albert Museum, conservation advice on textiles; Canadian Conservation Institute, preventive conservation guidance; Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute; the American Institute for Conservation, caring for your treasures.
Last checked: November 2026.