Scarf Item Number: Ee95 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
A simple bleached gauze-like unsewn cotton fabric. Near each end, there are some weft fibres absent, creating a fringe effect with closed ends.
History Of Use
The prayer scarf is a physical manifestation of greeting presented on arrival or at leaving to indicate respect. A common item of everyday use as a symbol of greeting when given to teachers, lamas, honoured visitors or guests. The prayer scarf also fulfills a ceremonial purpose in the ritual associated with the Tibetan monasteries. When pilgrimages are made to temples, the khata is hung around the necks of the images. The Dalai Lama would be formally greeted with the gift of a prayer scarf, dozens of them being piled on him by the devout (collector's notes).
Cultural Context
prayer scarf
Item History
- Made in Darjeeling, West Bengal, India before 1975
- Collected during 1975
- Owned by Stephen Inglis before December 2, 1977
- Received from Museum of Anthropology Donations Fund (Funding source) and Stephen Inglis (Seller) on December 2, 1977
What
- Name
- Scarf
- Identification Number
- Ee95
- Type of Item
- scarf
- Material
- cotton fibre
- Manufacturing Technique
- woven
- Overall
- height 122.0 cm, width 47.3 cm, depth 0.2 cm
Who
- Culture
- Tibetan
- Previous Owner
- Stephen Inglis
- Received from
- Museum of Anthropology Donations Fund (Funding source) and Stephen Inglis (Seller)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Darjeeling, West Bengal, India
When
- Creation Date
- before 1975
- Collection Date
- during 1975
- Ownership Date
- before December 2, 1977
- Acquisition Date
- on December 2, 1977
Other
- Item Classes
- textiles
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 0411/0160