Snow Leopard Felt Shoulder Bag from Tibet · CHARU × Phadrokbha

A simple shoulder bag made of hand-felted wool, with a body in a mottled light gray and a snow leopard in profile on the front. The rosettes are not printed on but are woven directly into the felt using lighter-colored wool, which is why their outlines blend softly. In Tibetan tradition, the snow leopard is considered the embodiment of the mountain deity and symbolizes the balance of the high regions. The bag is felted by hand: wool is laid out on a stencil, moistened with hot water and soap, and fulled for hours until the fibers mat together; it is then dried and lined. The cotton strap ends in small tassels on both sides.

The bag is produced through a collaboration between CHARU and the Phadrokbha (ཕ་རྡོགས་པ།) nomadic cooperative, whose name means “descendants of nomadic ancestors.” The cooperative was founded in 2015 in Yushu at an elevation of 4,700 meters and began by producing traditional black nomadic tents; it provides employment for single parents, orphans, and people with disabilities. For about eight months of the year, the members live and work together, passing down their craft to one another. CHARU connects designers with craft cooperatives in the Tibetan cultural region and uses these connections to develop products that bring traditional techniques into everyday life.

Large size: 39 × 35 cm · Strap length 94 cm · Weight 450 g · Body made of yak wool and sheep’s wool, hand-felted · Cotton strap · Lined · Delivered in a cotton bag

Small size: 30 × 23 cm · Strap length 105 cm · Weight 235 g · Body made of yak wool and sheep's wool, hand-felted · Cotton strap · Lined · Comes in a cotton bag

Hand wash only in cold water with a mild wool detergent; do not machine wash; do not bleach. Gently press down on soiled areas; do not rub. Hang to dry in the shade; do not dry in direct sunlight. Remove dust with a soft brush. Avoid friction against rough surfaces. Slight pilling is a natural characteristic of wool and can be trimmed away with small scissors. Since each piece is handmade, slight variations in measurements of 1 to 2 cm are possible.