Temple banner c. early 19th century

textile

natural stone pattern

textile

animal print

folk art

geometric pattern

tile art

spray can art

naive art

chaotic composition

decorative art

motif

This early 19th century Tibetan Temple banner, housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, is an impressive example of traditional religious art. It features a ferocious deity at the top, surrounded by swirling clouds and intricate floral motifs. Below, five panels of vibrant silks, each with unique designs and colors, create a dramatic composition. The banner's intricate embroidery and rich symbolism highlight the artistry and spiritual significance of Tibetan Buddhist textiles.

Comments

minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

⋮

The Tibetan priesthood extensively used imported silks from China to decorate their monasteries. Temple interiors were exceptionally colorful with their silk canopies, banners, and altar frontals. This banner is typical of those that were suspended from pillars or hung from roof brackets in image rooms and lecture halls. The lower section, made from several different types of silk fragments, has such auspicious Chinese motifs as dragons, clouds, bats, and lotus flowers. Like most Tibetan banners, however, the top is dominated by a large stylized lion mask in silk appliqué. This angry manifestation protects both Buddhist doctrine and the temple where it was displayed. The mask, in turn, is topped by a circular mirror, the standard reminder that the reality we see is an illusion.