Gangchen, "The Land of Snows", is the name Tibetans call their homeland. Gangchen (pronounced "Khan-Chen") has also been the home of a time-honored tradition of rug weaving which crafted brilliantly ornamental rugs that once adorned the monasteries and aristocratic estates of Tibet.
In 1986, Kesang Tashi, a Dartmouth educated, Tibetan born international banker, found his country's centuries old rug weaving tradittion endangered. He took on the challenge to revitalize the cottage industry by initiating Tibet's own arts and crafts movement, therby restoring the pride of this ancient heritage and insuring its continuity. The result of this effect is Gangchen Carpets of Tibet.
For the first time since the 11th century, inspired recreations of these classic Tibetan carpets are now available world-wide, exclusively through InnerAsia. Created for the discerning designer and collector, the Gangchen Collection couples uncompromised aesthetic integrity with authenticity - every Gangchen carpet is handwoven in Tibet by Tibetan weavers, thus perpetuating this time-honored art form.
Gangchen Carpets of tibet means a commitment to excellence in both materials and craftsmanship. Gangchen Carpets are woven from 100% hand-carded and hand-spun wool from Tibetan highland sheep, considered the best in the world.
The result is a carpet with an exquisitely rich, variegated texture that is both luxurious and durable.
Tibetan dyemasters enjoy a passion for color. Using masterful techniques and the finest dyes, they produce hues of exceptional richness and depth and an unlimited palette of sensational colors that have been widely recognized in the industry as a Gangchen Carpet trademark.
"Just as we at InnerAsia celebrate the rejuvenation of Tibet's proud heritage of rug weaving through the Gangchen Carpets, we hope you will appreciate the beauty, provenance and intrinsic value of these artistic creations." Kesang Tashi
For Manhattan-centric urban dwellers, trading a Manhattan showroom for one in the little town of Bridgewater, Vermont, would be unthinkable. However, for those who have discovered the special beauty of Vermont, the reasons for moving InnerAsia here — both aesthetic and strategic — are obvious, and relate to almost every important aspect of life. I think a brief introduction to our new showroom in old Vermont will help you appreciate why we were drawn here.
The Bridgewater Woolen Mill is a gem of Vermont architecture, listed in the National Register of Historic Places. We are located on the first and third floors of this landmark wooden structure, with all its architectural details intact, including rustic hand-hewn beams that soar to high ceilings in a Spartan yet church-like space. The aged, rich, lanolin wooden floors not only frame our rugs beautifully, but remind one of old oak barrels containing fine aged wines and cognacs.
These details are highlighted by the light through the original windows, as if to illuminate earlier times in Vermont. One highlight of the Mill's proud history is its production of woolen blankets during the Civil War! More than a half century later, the Mill was taken over by the Navy to produce blankets during the First World War. During the 1880s, when the Mill was owned by F.S. MacKenzie, a leading citizen of nearby Woodstock, its woolen products with the F.S. MacKenzie signature rivaled the finest goods from English and Scottish mills. Right up until 1900 Vermont was producing fine wool in quantities, and the annual shearing was an important source of income to many Vermont farmers. In a good year, annual sales of the Bridgewater Woolen Mill amounted to $2,000,000 and its payroll reached around $400,000. Unfortunately, the Mill fell on hard times and had to close as a woolen mill on June of 1967.
Now, however, through a quirk of history and some very intriguing karma, woolen products are again a featured product at the Bridgewater Woolen Mill. After an absence of four decades, the tradition of offering the finest woolen products has been revived, carried on by InnerSanctuary and its parent company, InnerAsia. Although InnerAsia's Gangchen carpets are woven in distant Tibet, the proud heritage of excellence in wool craft is the same. And although the weavers may be Tibetan, the tradition of a making a positive social and economic impact on an indigenous community remains the same. All of us at InnerAsia/Inner- Sanctuary, as well as our artisans and weavers in Tibet, are honored to carry on the tradition of wool craft at the Bridgewater Woolen Mill. Our vision and commitment to be a socially responsible business enterprise both in Vermont and Tibet will endure.
We would like to extend our hospitality to our designers and retail partners and invite them to visit us in our new showroom at the Bridgewater Woolen Mill. Here we can discuss creative ways to grow our partnerships in the relaxed atmosphere of the Mill and the beautiful Vermont countryside. There are many fine restaurants and charming inns in which we can host you, and you can enjoy a stress-free respite from the hustle and bustle of the big city. I am certain that the visit will be rejuvenating both for you and for our business together.
Custom tibetan rugs, custom tibetan carpets | Custom tibetan rugs, custom tibetan carpets (with Flash Intro) | Click to see our Shi-NayCollection