What makes a Tibetan purse more than a practical everyday object?
A purse is one of the few objects you hold in your hand every day. You open it several times a day, reach into it, close it again. It is a quiet companion that rarely gets attention but is always there. Choosing a Tibetan purse brings something particular into that everyday moment. A piece of craft you feel before you see it.
Tibetan purses are made from leather and silk brocade, often in combination. The leather gives the piece stability and long life. The silk brocade brings colour, pattern and the distinctive elegance of a fabric used in Tibetan culture for centuries for special occasions and sacred objects. This combination of robust material and fine weave is characteristic of Tibetan craft.
The patterns of Tibetan purses follow traditional models. Dragons, lotus flowers, cloud patterns and Tibetan auspicious signs in bright colours, deep red, bright gold, rich blue. Each pattern has its own meaning. The dragon symbolises strength and wisdom. The lotus flower stands for purity and for the capacity to rise from the mud of daily life into flower. The auspicious signs invite abundance and wellbeing.
Tibetan purses come in various sizes and shapes. Small, flat models for cards and notes. Larger models with a zip and several compartments for daily use. Long models that can also be carried as a clutch.
A Tibetan purse also makes a meaningful gift. It is practical, beautiful and carries a history. At tibet-markets.ch we carry Tibetan purses in various sizes, shapes and materials, all handmade and carefully chosen for quality and authenticity.
