Costume and Textiles Tibetan-Buddhist Ritual Cover Made in Sikkim, India, Asia19th century Artist/maker unknown, India Multicolored, pieced silk satin and figured silk satin and appliquéd silk satin on blue figured silk satin Currently not on view 2005-13-1 Gift of the Young Friends of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2005 |
LabelCalled pang-khebs or ten-khebs in Tibetan, ritual covers like this one were intended to adorn an altar or ceremonial throne, or to be used as a ritual offering. The central pattern's "endless knot" signifies eternal continuity. Appliquéd ritual scepters, called vishvavajra in Sanskrit, mark the four corners. Eight auspicious symbols (vase, lotus, conch shell, endless knot, victory banner, wheel of law, parasol, and two fish) embellish the sides. |
