Tibetan Silverware

Tibetan Silverware

　　Shangri-La offers a wide variety of Tibetan silverware. There are over twenty types of religious silver items alone, such as stupas, Buddha statues, shrines, and ritual implements, while the range of everyday silver items is countless.

　　 Silver Eight Treasures Thangka: A type of silverware exclusively used for religious activities, consisting of eight pieces, each featuring an auspicious symbol in Tibetan Buddhism, such as the conch shell, lotus flower, etc. The craftsmanship is extremely exquisite, and the entire piece features the artistic characteristics of relief sculpture, giving off a sense of primitive weightiness as well as a high degree of solemnity.

　　 Silver Amulet Box: Known in Tibetan as “Gau,” it was originally used by Tibetan men when traveling to ward off disasters, pray for blessings, and drive away evil spirits. Now it is commonly used as an ornament. It comes in two shapes: shrine-shaped and round. The amulet box is hollow inside and can contain Buddha statues, mantras, relics, lucky knots, etc. The exterior is decorated with relief carvings of mythical sea creatures, the Eight Treasures, flower offerings in treasure vases, along with mountain peaks, water waves, and intertwined lotus designs, symbolizing blessings, prosperity, wisdom, and bravery. Amulet boxes come in various sizes; larger ones are often worn around the waist, while smaller ones are usually hung around the neck.

　　 Earrings, Bracelets, and Silver Waist Belts: Earrings come in over ten styles, such as crescent-shaped ones inlaid with turquoise or pendant styles adorned with coral beads. Among the bracelets, the willow-thread dragon-headed ring is exquisitely delicate, while the square coiled dragon bracelet is heavy, simple, and endearing. The silver waist belt is composed of five to six silver plates, using techniques like round carving to highlight patterned lines, with a wide variety of designs.

　　 Silver-Wrapped Wooden Bowl: A beloved item among Tibetan tableware. The wooden bowls are made from high-quality wood, and they come in fully wrapped, half-wrapped, or edge-wrapped styles. Most are crafted using relief techniques, featuring patterns like dragons playing with pearls or the Tibetan Eight Treasures.

　　 Silver Knife: The knife handle is finely carved with floral designs, and the wire is skillfully braided with silver thread. The sheath is engraved with a jade dragon presenting treasure, surrounded by lotus flowers and torch motifs. It is one of the most commonly worn ornaments by Tibetan men.

　　 Silver Bell Sewing Kit: Known in Tibetan as “Zhenbu Keshui,” it is a luxurious ornament favored by Tibetan women. Everyday items such as sachets, sewing kits, and flint pouches are artistically arranged into ten silver bells, which are then connected with floral engravings. Worn on the right side of traditional attire, it produces a pleasant jingling sound with movement, adding a light and graceful touch that harmonizes beautifully with the slender figure of Tibetan women.

　　 Silver and Jade Bowl Stand: Used for serving tea and food to esteemed guests, masters, wise figures, and distinguished visitors. The bowl stand is carved in high relief with the Tibetan’s most revered motif, the “Padma” (lotus), featuring six offerings: citron, orange, grape, apple, pear, and peach. The edge of the stand is adorned with lotus pistils and ruyi patterns. The bowl lid is decorated with the “Tibetan Eight Treasures” and the “Jiana Zhala” (symbolizing the Great Wall of China), with a ruby representing a budding lotus at the top, signifying sincerity, nobility, and reverence. These silver items are highly favored by tourists and hold significant value for appreciation and collection.