Tibetan Women's Jewelry

Based on meticulous scientific research, this groundbreaking study traces the cultural history of central Tibet through traditional jewellery and trade, from the 17th century of the 5th Dalai Lama to the exile of the 14th Dalai Lama to India in 1959. It establishes for the first time that jewellery styles changed with each Dalai Lama, setting an important precedent for dating all Tibetan collectibles.

This impressive volume presents ten distinctive styles of women's relic boxes (Gaus), as well as headdresses, earrings, shoulder chatelaine and waist ornaments. Interviews with the last surviving noble ladies and master goldsmiths in Lhasa reveal the names of these magnificent treasures, as well as how and when they were worn.