Lot Essay
These Mongolian ceremonial canopies are made from Chinese brocaded silks, which have been woven with flat silver paper and coloured silk threads. The colours represent the Five Elements: yellow for Earth, red for Fire, green for Wood, blue for Water and white for Metal. The Five Element theory was introduced from China together with feng-shui and astrological practices. Although a few Mongolian-silk textiles exist, most are of Chinese manufacture, which were largely donated to important monasteries by the Qing court.
This type of canopy was mainly used in major temples and in palaces of important lamas. The throne room of the Dalai Lama in the Potala in Lhasa (also known as Sun Hall), is richly decorated with canopies, including examples with chevron streamers such as the present lot.
This type of canopy was mainly used in major temples and in palaces of important lamas. The throne room of the Dalai Lama in the Potala in Lhasa (also known as Sun Hall), is richly decorated with canopies, including examples with chevron streamers such as the present lot.