History Of Tibetan Rugs

Tibetan rugs and antiques cannot be properly introduced without a brief discussion of the Tibetan plateau. There is a fundamental uniqueness that cannot be duplicated.  That is, the plateau's isolation is indigenous to a few animals and plants. Because of the high altitudes, usually well over 2500m., it is cold and the air lacks oxygen. Tibet is very unique- the Tibetan sheep and yak can live only at high altitudes. Recently, these are being protected as endangered animals. Also indigenous to the high altitude plateaus of Tibet, people have tried breeding the Tibetan Mastiff, and grow Blue Poppies, but have failed miserably at lower altitudes. In 2006, Beijing, Tibetan Mastiffs were selling for $500,000 and out of the 200 or more brought to Beijing only 4 were still living one year later. It is extremely cold and windy, and fairly obvious that the sheep and yak have been essential to Tibetans from the beginning. The thick, strong wool is used for the clothing, rope, animal ornaments, blankets, some of the monastery hangings and of course- rugs. The meat is dried and eaten. Butter, milk, yogurt, and cheese are made too. The yak butter becomes the wax used in candles by the people and in the monasteries. Yak butter is the staple of the diet in the form of tea and tsampa. Tibetans drink yak butter, mixed with a little tea leaves a minimum of twenty times a day. As you can imagine it fattening, warm and has a distinct smell. Tsampa is a mixture of barley (similar to Japanese soba), yak butter and a little tea. This is then molded over and over in the hand until a dough like ball is created. Traveling Tibetans have always thought it essential to carry: a knife, gau (religious box with a tsa-tsa or statue of Buddha and Mantras), a wooden tea cup, dried yak meat and a wooden container of tsampa. See the pictures to the right side. Walking through Tibet, I see why this is, people share what they can with strangers. The region being just so barren, hospitality from both sides is welcomed. Honestly, it was like living a history book. With a few exceptions, nothing was machine made. It didn't bother me that the fruit and vegetables, outside goods like dishware, and cheap clothing are imported from China. Tibet and China have been trading for years. Long before the cultural revolution, any antique silks you'd find in the monastery came from the trade routes (ie. silk road), as did most of the dyes used in the carpets and as... fruits and vegetables. Most farming tools, all wooden crafts were hand carved or hand spun on a manual lathe. Everything seemed to be antique. All traditional garments were hand loomed.