New in our collection: CHARU – contemporary craft from Tibet
We are delighted to introduce a new collection: CHARU. The brand is one of the few working directly from within the Tibetan cultural region, alongside craftswomen and craftsmen from nomadic and farming communities.
Five Brands Under One Roof
CHARU brings together five independent brands, each devoted to its own craft:
- Yitso – jewellery in the Himalayan tradition
- Sayol – rugs from the high plateau
- Phadrokbha – felt goods
- Tsoten – woven textiles
- Saso – Tibet's distinctive black ceramics
The range extends from handmade jewellery, such as thangka pendants, bracelets with seed syllables and rings with Buddhist symbols, to wool and cashmere items, rugs, felt work and ceramics. Every piece is made by hand using traditional techniques. One example is the tablet-woven keychains from the Tsoten weaving cooperative. Since 2019, CHARU has worked there with former herders so that weaving remains a source of income.
Why CHARU Is a Good Fit for Us
CHARU shows that Tibetan craft can be carried forward authentically while bringing its aesthetic into the 21st century. The brand's aims are also ours at Atelier Tibet: supporting craftsmanship, paying the people behind it fairly, and preserving a culture that is increasingly under pressure.
We would like to see more Tibetan cultural enterprises run by Tibetans themselves. That this is so difficult under present conditions makes initiatives like CHARU all the more valuable.
The pieces we have received have convinced us: careful workmanship, quality materials and a clear artisanal signature.
The collection is available now in our shop at Münstergasse 10 in Zurich and at ateliertibet.ch.