Himalayan

A White Tara in silk, made in Tibet according to the old iconography. Himalayan textiles here include contemporary silk thangkas from Tibet and 20th century kira dresses and kera belts from Bhutan. The silk thangkas depict Buddha Shakyamuni, White Tara with the 21 Taras and Amitabha, Mahakala, Kubera, and the Four Guardian Kings who protect the directions. Guru Pema Gyelpo, one of the eight manifestations of Guru Rinpoche, appears as well.

From Bhutan come kira, the ankle-length woven dress wrapped and pinned at the shoulders, including a naushem kira, and embroidered kera belts that cinch it at the waist. Bhutanese weaving is traditionally done on backstrap looms, with patterns picked out in supplementary weft. A silk thangka hangs well in a quiet room or above a meditation cushion, and a kira, unfolded, covers a wall as handsomely as any hanging. Weaving in Bhutan is slow work, and it shows in the best possible way.