APPLIQUE THANGKAS

The earliest examples of applique are saddle covers used by the Huns over two thousand years ago. Later, the technique became widespread in Central Asia, in silk and brocade banners as found in the celebrated Dunhuang caves and today, applique is best known for the beautiful brocade thangkas still made at Norbulingka.

Applique is made from hundreds of hand cut pieces of precious fabrics couched in silk-wrapped thread and sewn into patterns.