Silk Applique Arts

Explore the collections, which include exquisite applique and silk embroidery by masters of the Ikh Khuree from the 19th and 20th centuries.

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Colors and Elegance Beauty

Mesmerizing silk appliqué art brings contrasting colors to life through skilled craftsmanship and precise cutting, showcasing beauty and elegance through meticulous attention to detail.

Kalachakra Mandala (XIX century) by Unknown artist and tailor womenThe Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum

Kalachakra Mandala

The applique is from the XIX century by an unknown artists and presents certain variations of Kalachakra. The Kalachakra mandala represents the wheel of our lives and the time to make peace with ourselves. 

Kalachakra Mandala (XIX century) by Unknown artist and tailor womenThe Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum

It symbolizes individual and universal peace and helps restore physical and mental balance through meditation.

The mandala has an outer wisdom circle and four inner rings for the elements air, fire, water, and earth. 

The central part has three inner layers: the mandalas' body, speech, and mind. 

Manjushri (XIX century) by Unknown artist and tailor womenThe Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum

Manjushri

The applique of Mañjuśrī, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, dates from the XIX century and was created by an unknown artist. 

Manjushri (XIX century) by Unknown artist and tailor womenThe Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum

Mañjuśrī is depicted as a male bodhisattva representing clear seeing and wisdom. He holds a sword in one hand to cut through delusion and The Great Wisdom Sutra in the other hand to teach the emptiness of self-nature.

Six armed Mahakala (XIX century) by Unknown artist and tailor womenThe Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum

Six armed Mahakala

This XIX-century applique depicts Mahakala, a deity who protects Buddhist teachings, in his six-armed form.

Six armed Mahakala (XIX century) by Unknown artist and tailor womenThe Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum

His rage is directed at hostile forces like ignorance, hatred, and desire. His tools include a curved flaying knife and a skull cup, a double - sided drum, a lasso, flayed elephant skin, and a trident - the artist is unknown.

Shri Devi (XIX century) by Unknown artist and tailor womenThe Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum

Shri Devi

XIX century, depicted by an unknown artist. Shri Devi is a female Bodhisattva who serves as a protector (Dharmapala) in Himalayan and Tibetan Buddhism. 

Shri Devi (XIX century) by Unknown artist and tailor womenThe Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum

She is considered the primary female Wisdom Protector and is typically depicted with blue-black skin, two arms, and riding sidesaddle on a horse.

Thirty five Buddhas (XIX century) by Luvsandorj, Khasgombo and embroider womenThe Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum

Thirty five Buddhas

Luvsandorj Khasgonbo made an applique of the Thirty-five Buddhas in the 19th century.

Thirty five Buddhas (XIX century) by Luvsandorj, Khasgombo and embroider womenThe Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum

These Buddhas made vows to help others overcome their negative actions while they were still Bodhisattvas. By reciting these prayers, we can confess our wrongdoings. These perfect prayers define all the negative actions we have committed, whether directly or indirectly.

The Confession Prayers

Buddhas are for forgiving one’s sins committed through body, speech, and mind.

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