The high quality of Chinese silk textiles is legendary. Perhaps less well known are the sumptuous silk fabrics that found their way to Tibet in the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. These silks were sometimes given as donations or gifts by Chinese emperors to important lamas and noblemen. The silk was often cut up and reworked in Tibet to be used in wealthy households or for religious purposes within the monasteries.

Recently many of these silks have come on to the international art market. Having been kept in relatively dark and stable conditions for so long the state of preservation and the vivid colours of the fabrics can be remarkable.

Inside the monasteries in Tibet, the halls and shrines are covered with fabrics. AppliquÈd and embroidered wall hangings, thangkas mounted on silk and banner finials abound, making the temples look colourful and festive.

The Tibetans love of decoration can best be seen in the colourful wall hangings in the Gallery's collection. When joining patterned silks, the Tibetans preferred to juxtapose contrasting colours and designs, instead of creating smooth transitions. The final effect is a colourful and vibrant patchwork design.

Silk Yoke 117 x 117 cm China, 19th Century T008		Silk Panel 56 x 31 cm China, 18th Century T027
Altar Cloth 262 x 186 cm Tibet, 19th Century T023		Pillar Hangings 43 x 40 cm China, 19th Century T024
Silk Panel 56 x 32 cm China, 19th Century T027		Silk Panel 74 x 35 cm China, 18th Century T028
Silk Panel 81 x 44 cm China, 19th Century T031		Silk Panel 72 x 30 cm China, 19th Century T032
Silk Panel 27 x 23 cm Tibet, 18th Century T025		Silk Panel 50 x 30 cm China, 19th Century T026
Silk Panel 110 x 82 cm China, 19th Century T001		Silk Panel 34 x 32 cm China, 19th Century T013
Silk Robe 143 x 72 cm China, 19th Century T011		Silk Robe 225 x 124 cm China, 19th Century T012
Silk Robe 177 x 147 cm China, 18th Century T009		Chinese Silk Canopy 262 x 186 cm Tibet, 18th Century T023
Silk Dress 165 x 125 cm China, 19th Century T010		Chinese Silk Canopy 160 x 142 cm Tibet, 17th Century T021
Silk Panel 72 x 30 cm China, 19th Century T033		Silk Panel 72 x 30 cm China, 19th Century T033
Silk Panel 72 x 30 cm China, 19th Century T033		Silk Panel 30 x 72 cm China, 19th Century T034
Silk Robe 225 x 124 cm China, 19th Century T035		Silk Panel 53 x 65 cm China, 19th Century T036
Silk Panel 64 x 52 cm China, 19th Century T039		Silk Panel 94 x 94 cm China, 19th Century T041
Silk Panel 49 x 48 cm China, 19th Century T042		Silk Panel 43 x 21 cm China, 19th Century T043
Silk Panel 17 x 102 cm China, circa 1900 T045		Silk Panel 43 x 106 cm China, 19th Century T046
Silk Panel 53 x 53 cm China, 19th Century T047		Silk Panel 27 x 84 cm China, 19th Century T048
Silk Panel 62 x 103 cm China, 19th Century T050		Silk Panel 31 x 140 cm China, 19th Century T051
Silk Panel 63 x 75 cm China, 19th Century T052		Silk Panel 39 x 21 cm China, 19th Century T053
Silk Panel 66 x 160 cm China, 19th Century T055