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Notes on Culture & Antique Art, Ethnic Decor & Vintage Fashion | Wovensouls Art Gallery

1302 MASTERPIECE Antique Bhutan Charkab Rain Cloak

A superb work of textile art from Bhutan!

Used for protection against rain and cold.

The weaving technique makes the wool water resistant.

Made of Yathra or wool woven with special motifs including the auspicious diamond on the central panel.

The three panels are woven from the same loom length and then cut and stitched together lengthwise.

 Older charkhaps or charkabs such as this one have fewer rows and restrained color schemes and less elaborate decoration with motifs.

Estimated to be from the late 1800s – early 1900s

Central Bhutan

Now mounted on a silk base cloth so that the holes from usage don’t stand out. Faded.

47 x 45 inches

MASTERPIECE COLLECTION

Similar Example: Minneapolis Institute of Art

Also, here is a folk tale from Bhutan that gives us a glimpse of how much these are valued even locally. 

 

 

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This item has spent a lifetime being used for the purpose of its creation with the original artist/user. Signs of this life lived heartily may be present on the piece in the form of stains, thread loss, loose threads, holes, tears, color run and other imperfections. Therefore the condition must be assumed to be “not” perfect. More photos of such imperfections will be provided on request.

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