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Mongolians became especially known for their large appliqués, examples of which can reach several stories tall. Scraps of multicolored Chinese silks in various patterns were cut to shape and cleverly integrated into a complex rendering. A variety of embroidery stitches and gold couching (gold-wrapped horsehair fastened to the appliqué with small stitches at regular intervals) delineate the details. Especially distinctive of Mongolian appliqué are tiny seed pearls and small coral beads stitched onto the textile surface. In general, sacred textiles such as this were designed by monks for important ritual occasions, and they were stitched mostly by women.
Makzor Gyelmo, Queen Who Repels Armies
OriginMongolia
Date18th century
Dimensions56 1/8 × 39 3/8 × 1 1/4 in.
MediumSilk applique with pearls, coral, horsehair, and gold thread
Credit LineRubin Museum of Art, Gift of the Shelley & Donald Rubin Foundation
Object numberF1996.19.1
Himalayan Art Resources Number472
Project Himalayan Arthttps://rubinmuseum.org/projecthimalayanart/essays/begtse-monumental-applique/
DescriptionMagzor Gyalmo (Mongolian: Chog tegulder okin tngri), Queen Who Repels Armies, is a wrathful emanation of the goddess Sarasvati and the special protector of the Dalai Lamas.Mongolians became especially known for their large appliqués, examples of which can reach several stories tall. Scraps of multicolored Chinese silks in various patterns were cut to shape and cleverly integrated into a complex rendering. A variety of embroidery stitches and gold couching (gold-wrapped horsehair fastened to the appliqué with small stitches at regular intervals) delineate the details. Especially distinctive of Mongolian appliqué are tiny seed pearls and small coral beads stitched onto the textile surface. In general, sacred textiles such as this were designed by monks for important ritual occasions, and they were stitched mostly by women.
Not on view
19th century
15th century
20th century
16th century
18th - 19th century
early 20th century
late 18th - early 19th century
late 18th - early 19th century