Silverware

Silverware

　　Shangri-La Tibetan silverware comes in a wide variety. There are over twenty types of religious silver items alone, such as stupas, Buddha statues, shrines, and ritual implements, while the number of everyday silver items is countless. The Eight Treasures Silver Plaque is a type of silverware specifically used for religious activities. It consists of eight pieces, each representing a Tibetan Buddhist auspicious symbol, such as the Dharma wheel and white conch lotus. The craftsmanship is extremely exquisite, and the entire piece features the artistic characteristics of relief sculpture, giving off a sense of profound primitive beauty while also exuding a high level of solemnity. The Silver Amulet Box, known in Tibetan as “Ka’u,” was originally used by Tibetan men when traveling to ward off disasters, pray for blessings, and drive away evil spirits. Nowadays, it serves mainly as a decorative item. There are two types: shrine-shaped and round-shaped. The amulet box is hollow inside and contains items such as Buddha statues, scriptures, relics, and auspicious knots. The exterior is adorned with relief carvings of mythical creatures, the Eight Treasures, and treasure vases surrounded by five flowers, along with designs of mountain peaks and water waves, as well as interlocking lotus patterns, symbolizing blessings, victory, wisdom, and bravery. Amulet boxes come in large and small sizes. The larger ones are often worn around the waist, while the smaller ones are commonly hung around the neck. Earrings, bracelets, and silver belts—earrings come in various styles, including crescent-shaped ones inlaid with turquoise and pendant-style ones adorned with coral beads, among more than ten types. Among the bracelets, the willow-thread dragon-head design is exquisitely delicate, while the square coiled bracelet is thick, simple, and charming. Silver belts are typically made up of five to six silver plates of varying sizes. They use round carving techniques to highlight pattern lines, and the designs come in a wide range of styles. The Silver-Wrapped Wooden Bowl is a cherished utensil among Tibetans. The wooden part of the bowl is made from high-quality parasitic plants, with full-wrap, partial-wrap, and edge-wrap versions being the most common. Most feature relief carvings such as dragons playing with pearls or the Eight Treasures of Tibet. The Silver Knife has an intricately carved handle, with fine silver threads skillfully woven in. The sheath is engraved with a jade dragon presenting treasure, surrounded by lotus flowers and torches, making it one of the most beloved accessories for Tibetan men. The Silver Bell Thread Reel, known in Tibetan as “Zhen Xiao He Shui,” is a luxurious ornament favored by Tibetan women. Everyday items such as pouches, thread holders, and flint boxes are artistically transformed into ten silver bells, which are then linked together with openwork designs. Worn on the right side of traditional attire, the bells produce a pleasant jingling sound with every movement, adding a light and graceful charm that complements the slender figure of Tibetan women. Silverware, jade, and bowl stands are tea and food utensils used by lamas, masters, scholars, and honored guests. The bowl stand is carved in high relief using the lotus (“Bama”), the most revered Tibetan symbol, as its base. It features carvings of six offerings: Buddha’s hand citron, oranges, pomegranates, crabapples, pears, and peaches. The edge of the bowl stand is decorated with lotus pistils and ruyi motifs. The bowl lid is designed with the “Eight Treasures of Tibet” and “Jiana Zhala” (representing the Great Wall of China), topped with a ruby symbolizing a lotus bud, embodying devotion, reverence, and respect. These silver items are highly favored by tourists and hold great value for both appreciation and collection. (Diqing)