How to Display a Tibetan Thangka Painting
Dear friends and customers,
In this blog post, we’d like to share notes on how to display a thangka painting up correctly. Thangka paintings are beautiful and sacred works of art and displaying them correctly will bring a touch of positive energy and serenity to any space.
- We usually roll up our thangkas and then post them inside mailing tubes. This is also the most common way that they are transported. Open up the thangka scroll fully and let the picture hang. This will help flatten it and remove any minor creases that may have come about during transportation. Note the critical components that you’ll have to work with when hanging up the picture. One is the cord that is used to mount the painting. The other is a thin cord on the top (red in the picture below) that holds the cover (yellow) when folded.
- Hold the opposite bottom ends of the cover and fold upwards. You will be making one fold in and one fold out till you reach the top to give you a frill like pattern.
- When you reach the top, move your hands from the opposite ends towards the centre of the cover and place the fabric under the red cord that holds the cover.
- Pinch the top of the folded cover and push the fabric under the thin red cord.
- Strech out the centre bits of the cover to organise the drape around the top bit of the thangka and tidy it up
- And … it is ready.
Some prefer to have the two red ribbons that we’ve placed towards the back of the thangka out in the front. However, we like to have them tucked away and hidden at the back so that the painting behind is not blocked. Others might also place a khata (honorary silk scarf) on top.
Here is a short video we made with Kunga that shows the entire process. Good luck.
If you are interested in thangka paintings, view our collection here. We have just uploaded a range of entry level paintings as well as our popular mandala paintings and miniature thangkas.
With best wishes,
Kunga @ Tibet Shop Sydney