Large antique copper and silver teapot from western Tibet

Large copper teapot with magnificent silver decorations. The elegant design represents the outstanding craftsmanship of metalworking in western Tibet. The artfully applied silver ornaments perfectly complement the copper, with both materials being exceptional in both design and finish.

It was made from copper mined in Yangskar along the Zanskar River. This special copper is known locally as "chuzang" (literally "water copper").

The piece was made by the renowned silversmith mGon-Po from Chilling. The village is located in the lower Zanskar Valley, around 60 kilometers from Leh. Since the late 16th century, the inhabitants, especially the men, have been practising a traditional metal craft that their ancestors brought to Ladakh from Nepal. Despite the small village population of only 60 to 70 people, seven families keep this art form alive to this day. The history of the village is closely linked to the Newari metalworkers from Nepal, who came to Ladakh under King Sengge Namgyal to erect the large Buddha statue in the Shey Monastery. The metal craftsmen settled in Chilling as the area was rich in natural resources such as gold and copper from the Zanskar River. Today, the craftsmen mainly produce ritual objects and household utensils from copper, brass and silver.

From a Swiss collection, acquired in Ladakh in 1946.

Dimensions:

• Diameter: 20.8 cm.
• Height: 32.5 cm.
• Weight: 1.48 kg.
• Volume: 3.25 liters = approx. 25 Tibetan cups.