Tibetan Rug Book
OF WOOL AND LOOM
The Tradition of Tibetan Rugs
by Trinley Chodrak and Kesang Tashi
INTRODUCTION
I would like to introduce this book by explaining the circumstances that led me to write it. Growing up as a young boy in Tibet, I remember the visual dominance of vividly colorful rugs ornamenting every room in our home. Rugs were also a treasured presence in sacred shrines, assembly halls and in monasteries, particularly in the private quarters of the revered Lamas. I recall that the best rugs were always reserved for the Lamas and the family elders - whether used in decorating their rooms or saddling their horses. Later, when I inherited a few rugs of my own, my interest in these rugs blossomed into more acquisitions. Thus begun my Tibetan rug collection.
For me, collecting Tibetan rugs has been tremendously pleasurable and gratifying. First of all, Tibetan rugs, as you will see in the illustrations that follow, are incredibly varied in design, color, appeal and function. Their visual impact never ceases to excite one's senses they change from regal to whimsical, from utterly bold to exquisitely subtle. Secondly, each rug has a story to tell. Tibetans are passionate traders. Salesmanship and negotiation skills are highly regarded and relished as a national pastime by all participants including bystanders. Since rugs are so treasured, even the most mundane old rug often comes with fantastic stories of provenance and importance as expounded by the seller.
It is through collecting that my admiration for the Tibetan weavers and my involvement with their craft deepened. In 1986, I returned to my homeland from the United States to explore the possibility of producing a collection of traditional Tibetan carpets in Tibet that could meet the standards of discerning collectors.
I returned to New York from my trip with the realization that although the challenges involved in operating a successful rug weaving enterprise in Tibet were daunting, they could and must be overcome. I simply could not accept that Tibet, with its glorious rug-weaving heritage, abundance of the highland sheep wool and large population of weavers and artisans, would remain unable to enter the international market.
I was convinced that the success of such an enterprise would mean not only a revitalized Tibetan rug-weaving heritage, but also livelihood for significant numbers of Tibetans in their homeland.
The challenge of this project became irresistible to me. In the production process that begun in 1987, I worked closely with a number of master weavers whose depth of knowledge of the craft was most impressive. I realized that the wonderful tales of their craft, transmitted orally by their teachers, who in turn learned from their teachers before them, was an intrinsic part of Tibet's rug weaving heritage. I felt compelled to celebrate their craft. Thus I conceived the idea for this book.
I was fortunate to have Trinley Chodrak as my co-author. His wealth of knowledge of Tibetan cultural history was vital in realizing our objective for the book that of discussing the evolutionary development of Tibetan rug in the context of Tibetan geography, culture and society. Lincoln Potter's photography eloquently captures the visual images of Tibetan nomads, weavers and artisans in the context of Tibetan terrain and cultural landscape.
Finally, I am delighted that it is Hal Kuloy, author of "Tibetan Rugs", one of the earliest books on the subject, who is introducing and publishing this book. In 1982, when Tibet was still closed to outside travelers, Hal observed in his book that: "original material on Tibetan rug making tradition is rapidly disappearing, and it is important that one now starts in earnest to recover and preserve this marvelous art?"
Kuloy's book has been an important companion to me throughout these last twelve years of collecting, producing, and now writing. Our shared passion for Tibetan rugs and the importance of their heritage has generated the dynamics to set the looms in motion again in Tibet.
My gratitude is to very many people, many of whom shared their passion in and knowledge of rugs with me. The old masters who told me the tales of their craft, and the others who sold me rugs often relishing each transaction with wonderful tales of their rugs, are too numerous to name here. But their generosity has made this book possible. I ask them to share whatever merit this book offers. I alone must accept responsibility for any error or shortcomings of its content.
Kesang G. Tashi
New York January, 1999
