Art in Tibet is expression of the religion. It is regarded not as a work of art, but as a vehicle for expressing in a world of form the metaphysical concepts of religion. Most of the art in Tibetan religion or Lamaism is used for worship - the thangkas, images, votive tablets and ritual masks.

There are many things such as metal works, jewelry, charm boxes, musical instruments and other objects which are used for lay purposes, but are decorated with religious symbols. The materials and techniques employed by the monks are described in the Tibetan religious books, the Kanjur, the translated commandments and the Tanjur, the translated explanations.

Tibetan Religious Art, first published in 1952 is a simple book that answers such basic questions concerning Tibetan art, its origins, functions and symbolism. It was published at a time when, Tibetan canons dealing with the treatises on painting and sculpture were still not fully translated After all these years it still retains interest and authority.

About the Author:

Antoinette K. Gordon, was the research associate in anthropology at the American Museum of Natural History. She made the study of Tibetan art and religion her life work. Her other works are: The Iconography of Tibetan Lamaism http://www.exoticindiaart.com/The Iconography of Tibetan Lamaism and Tibetan Tales: Stories from the Dsangs Blun.

Contents:

BUDDHISM AND LAMAISM
THE PANTHEON OF DEITIES AND DIVINITIES
TEMPLE PAINTING (THANG-KAS)
IMAGES
BOOKS AND WOOD BLOCKS
VOTIVE TABLETS
RITUAL OBJECTS
ROBES AND MASKS
METAL WORK, MUSICAL INSTRUMENT, AND JEWELRY
BUTTER SCULPTURE AND SAND MANDALAS
CALLIGRAPHY
CONCLUSION
BIBLIOGRAPHY
INDEX