Of Wool and Loom - The Tradition of Tibetan Rugs
Author: Trinley Chodrak and Kesang Tashi
This is the first overview of the Tibetan rugmaking tradition to be written in English by native Tibetan authorities on the subject. Introductory material presents a brief history of Tibetan carpet and textile weaving from its earliest origins to the present, including "planted-pile" textiles, drumtse knotted-pile carpets of the Wangden Valley, and warp-backed rugs of the Lhuntse region. It next traces the emergence of Tibet as a commercial center of carpet weaving, and reveals an insider's account of the arduous process required to learn the craft, from apprentice to master weaver. A final section gives an account of the wide range of functions for which Tibetan rugs are employed, by nomads, by the aristocracy, and by ordinary people, including special ecclesiastical and equestrian uses.
The text is illustrated with over 150 color plates showing representative carpets and details of their intricate designs, each accompanied by an extended description, as well as rugs in use, on display, and being made around Tibet. A glossary, bibliography, and index make this book invaluable for collectors and connoisseurs of Asian carpets and textiles.
