Textiles collection
Apron with mix of natural and synthetic dyes, Gyantse, Tibet
20th century
This town was once located on a major trade route between India and Tibet. Many good quality textiles of this era contain synthetic colours, a luxury commodity when first imported by traders at the end of the 19th century. Originally they were used sparingly as highlights, but even Tibetan natural dye enthusiast tend to ‘augment’ natural colours, brightening them with synthetic materials – a deeply ingrained habit.
72 cm x 48 cm (2’4” x1’7”)
Apron with mix of natural and synthetic dyes, detail, Gyantse, Tibet
20th century
This town was once located on a major trade route between India and Tibet. Many good quality textiles of this era contain synthetic colours, a luxury commodity when first imported by traders at the end of the 19th century. Originally they were used sparingly as highlights, but even Tibetan natural dye enthusiast tend to ‘augment’ natural colours, brightening them with synthetic materials – a deeply ingrained habit.
72 cm x 48 cm (2’4” x1’7”)
Apron with natural dyes, Nyalam, Tibet
20th century
Green shades were traditionally achieved by overdye-ing indigo with a yellow shade (often ground rhubarb root). This technique produced variable results and the yellow component tends to fade over time. Synthetic greens are brighter and flatter in tone. Similarly, brown wool over-dyed wit indigo produces a glossy dark brown rather than a true uniform black. The white stripes are typical of aprons from the Nyalam, area.
71 cm x 66 c, (2’4” x 2’2”)
Apron with natural dyes, detail, Nyalam, Tibet
20th century
Green shades were traditionally achieved by overdye-ing indigo with a yellow shade (often ground rhubarb root). This technique produced variable results and the yellow component tends to fade over time. Synthetic greens are brighter and flatter in tone. Similarly, brown wool over-dyed wit indigo produces a glossy dark brown rather than a true uniform black. The white stripes are typical of aprons from the Nyalam, area.
71 cm x 66 c, (2’4” x 2’2”)
Apron with natural dyes, Shigatse, Tibet
19th century
Tibetan trestle looms and backstrap looms by nomads are capable of producing lengths of fabric with a maximum width of around 30 centimetres. Most Tibetan textiles are therefore made up of strips sewn together. The number of panels used in an apron is dictated by the size required. A young girl’s apron might only use two and a half panels. No attempt is made to align the stripes.
87 cm x 77 cm (2’10” x 2’6”)
Apron with natural dyes, detail, Shigatse, Tibet
19th century
Tibetan trestle looms and backstrap looms by nomads are capable of producing lengths of fabric with a maximum width of around 30 centimetres. Most Tibetan textiles are therefore made up of strips sewn together. The number of panels used in an apron is dictated by the size required. A young girl’s apron might only use two and a half panels. No attempt is made to align the stripes.
87 cm x 77 cm (2’10” x 2’6”)
Apron with natural dyes, southern Tibet
20th century, 69 cm x 58 cm (2’3″ x 1’11)
Apron with natural dyes, detail, southern Tibet
20th century, 69 cm x 58 cm (2’3″ x 1’11)
Winter chuba (coat), western Tibet
20th century, 143 cm x 147 cm (4’8″ x 4’10”)
Winter chuba (coat), detail, western Tibet
20th century, 143 cm x 147 cm (4’8″ x 4’10”)