Thangka Appliqué is a technique of making thangkas with precious silk without the use of paint. Thangka Appliqué is a sacred art in Tibet as Thangka painting. Artist follows the iconography of deities as mention in the Buddhist scripture. The art of appliqué first began among the Huns of Central Asia to embroider saddle blankets. Gradually, it spread east across the Silk Road and was adopted by Tibetans as religious art.
Some appliquéd thangkas can be many stories high, those are called Kyigus. The largest, which hang down at the Drepung monastery during yoghurt festival, and one the Sera and Tashi Lhunpo monastery. Can be over one hundred feet in length. Traditionally, these are only brought out on special religious occasions, and the rest of the year are kept safely stored away. Silk thangkas have still existed that dated back to the 13th century. These thangkas are considered great treasures and are so well cared for that within living memory.
One completed Thangka Appliqué composed of hundreds and thousands of individual embroidered pieces. Each piece is outlined by the border with horsehair wrapped in the silk thread. When all the parts are finished, they are assembled and sewn onto the base to form the design. This technique creates an extremely durable piece. The horsehair no only gives strength but also allows it to adjust with the different environment with compromising its shape. To complete one Thangka could take many months to several years depending on the size, and will need care from many artists.
Traditionally, Thangka Appliqué was practised by the most skilled Tailors. Thangka artist would give the layout of the thangkas to tailor. Thangka artist would sketch the design using the correct proportions of each deity as mention in the Buddhist scripture. Tailors use that blueprint to create the Thangka. Though they have not studied Buddhist iconography, they reply to the thangka art to produce the complete creation.
In Tibet, the most famous of the Thangka appliqué is the one that is put on display in the Drepung monastery during the yoghurt festival in Lhasa. If you would like to look for some in the market, we would like to recommend you to pay a scroll around the Barkhor street to find some of the best in Market.
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