£ 2,400.00
126 x 103 cm // 4ft 2" x 3ft 5"
This remarkable and rare item was found in Tibet is ,to our experience , unique. In style it is NW Indian as seen in rumals and Indian prints where the intention was to allow the fabric to drape at the corner. The two felted wool cloth materials which make up the body one the field of burgundy the other subsidiary bottle green. The former would appear to be of local produce as in monks robes whereas the green used in the borders appears foreign and thus likely British ( West Yorshire / E.Anglian / West of England ). The borders are embroidered in floss silk whose work is akin to that of Sindh or even possibly Armenian Iran although the use of floss silk there is less but the mtal covered raised work over cotton bulk is seen in Turkey . The medallion in the centre is embroidered in a laid stitch of mostly plain cotton with floss blue silk the metal parts have worn off.
On receipt the lining was thick with tsampa ( a Tibetan barley and butter dish ) which was washed off revealing a lining comprising of a handwoven cloth band 39 cm cut into sections. A missing part was made up by us as can clearly be seen in the photos of the back. Additionally two green square portions at one end were missing and have been inserted by us without altering the original finished size.
Given the evidence to hand it is speculated that the item was commissioned in Tibet to visiting foreign artisans possibly for use of on a Temple alter or for high status domestic use in some noble house as a cover. There is little or no fading meaning that this has been kept indoors and not exposed to UV although friction has lead to some deterioration and loss of metal with what is remaining oxidised.
• circa 1800
Ref. 12542
