The
shamanic paintings of the northern tribes are the
most visible symbol of their tenacious dedication to
their religion, the core of “the old ways.” It was
their resistance to assimilation that led the Han
Chinese to expel them from the lowlands, and then
from the entire country (changing borders modified
the end results, but not the dynamic.) Collectively,
the paintings create a holy place; unfurled and
placed on the wall and altar in the prescribed
manner, they transform the unassuming home of the
shaman into a place where spirits come and
communicate.
The oldest (and best) were brought down from China
by the Zhou (and other groups) when they migrated
here two or three hundred years ago. As they wore
out, replacements were needed. Originally, they were
“ordered” from the fine tribal painters of China,
but changes in the atmosphere along the border lands
forced the Zhou shamans to get them locally-from
either their own artisans or (later) from Kinh
(Viet) painters brought north to learn the
iconography and create quite beautiful (and even
elegant) sets of paintings.
We have many of each type. Our collection is
excellent, and part of it was displayed
at Hanoi’s Museum of Fine Arts in 2006. All
that we sell are accompanied by a 500-1000 word fact
sheet, explaining their origin, use, age, materials,
history and iconography. “not just an object, but an
education as well.”
Click to see
Shamanic Paintings
>>>
|
