The Bhutan Textile Museum , or National Textile Museum , is a museum in Thimphu , Bhutan , located next to the Bhutan National Library . The museum is operated by the National Commission for Culture. Since its inception in 2001, the museum has assembled a large collection of exclusive antique products from Bhutanese textiles [1] .
| Bhutan Textile Museum | |
|---|---|
| English Bhutan textile museum | |
| Established | 2001 |
| Location | |
| Address | Thimphu , Bhutan |
| Director | National Commission for Culture |
In the future, the museum is planned to be made a center for textile research; it is also intended to promote the study of the culture and history of Bhutan [1] [2] .
Content
History
The importance of Bhutan textiles is explained by many factors: intricate and complex patterns, production methods, the role in religious, state and public events and its sacred significance [2] .
The Bhutan Textile Museum was created and inaugurated in 2001 by Queen Sangai Choden Wangchuk , who is also the curator of the museum. $ 165,000 was allocated for the development of the museum’s infrastructure . The Government of Bhutan and private investors also provide assistance to the museum, and technical support is provided by the American Peabody Essex Museum [1] .
Museum Collection
The museum is divided into six zones reflecting the achievements in the field of textile art, the role of textiles in religion, textile products from local fibers, the royal collection and the manufacture of fabric [3] . The museum’s royal collection contains a large number of priceless antique textiles, including the royal crown , clothes and accessories of the kings of Bhutan , Tsamdrak Goenpa's pearl-embroidered robe and bedding of His Holiness Shabdrung Jigme Dorji [3] .
Some of the unique exhibits were presented to the museum by Her Majesty Queen Mother Sangai Choden Wangchuk and other private individuals: the first prototype of the royal crown, the brocade mantle worn by the first and second kings of Bhutan, the crown of the sister of the first king Asha Wangmo [1] .
On the ground floor of the museum, a demonstration of the skills of spinning, dyeing fibers, preparing a loom and working with two skeins of yarn is performed. On the second floor there is an exposition of decorative fabrics and products from them [3] . The museum has an exhibition of traditional national men’s and women’s clothing of Bhutanese, as well as clothing tailored especially for religious holidays [3] .
Exhibitions
The museum holds contests for the best fabric design. The best fabric is chosen by museum visitors. The museum plans to hold a textile festival [1] .
To support the interest of weavers, sellers and artists, textile auctions are held at the museum. At the auction, the weaver determines the initial price, and the profit from the sale goes to the treasury of the museum. The museum constantly employs two weavers who demonstrate the manufacturing process of products [1] .
See also
- List of museums in Bhutan
Notes
- ↑ 1 2 3 4 5 6 Thimphu Textile Museum - Preservation and Development of the National Treasure
- ↑ 1 2 “Bhutan Textile Museum”
- ↑ 1 2 3 4 “Bhutan Textile Museum” . Himalaya2000.