CIRCA: 1920’s
A three paneled, red bordered, almost iridescent green tsuktruk with a Dzeepa* as the sole central motif, while set across the bottom is a mountain design in the center panel, and stylized waves and clouds in the outer two panels. Across the top is some yet to be deciphered script, while the red pile border mimic’s the red cloth edging often seen surrounding Tibetan carpets. These blanket-like rugs are not as thickly woven as Tibetan khadens, and use a completely different technique for their construction. That is they are first made as long narrow individual strips – each woven in the ‘planted-pile-technique’ – and then the strips, in this case three, are sewn together to make the final piece. They are usually soft and subtle, this one very much so, and were often used as blankets. As the Dzeepa is said do to ward off evil, this piece then could be seen as a ‘protective’ covering. The main field is of hand-spun, naturally dyed, glossy, lanolin rich wool, while all, or most, of the rest of the colours appear to be made from natural dyes as well, although the red may be questionable. The warp and weft are both of hand spun wool and there are no damages or repairs to the piece. A striking, magically coloured tsukdruk, which by the addition of some yellow wool throughout the green gives it a ‘shimmering’ appearance. Overall it has a real presence and would be ideal for displaying on a wall, or even as a cover on a bed.
*Dzeepa’s are ancient mythological creatures used to keep evil spirits at bay, and their likeness is very common in several countries throughout Asia, although going by various names and assorted spellings; for instance to the Newars of Nepal he is Chepu / Cheppu, in Tibet known as Dzeepa / Dzeepa / Zeepa / Dzeepak, and in India as Kirtimukha.