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Tibetan Carpets

From Folk Art to Global Commodity

Department of Anthropology, City University of New York

This article analyzes the Tibetan refugee carpet industry, demonstrating that the commoditization of handicrafts has had multiple and contradictory impacts on the culture, economy, and class structure of refugee society. Tibetan carpets remain functional objects for their community of origin while they simultaneously advertise Tibetan culture internationally, support refugee institutions, and cater to the tastes of outside consumers. Foreign consumers exert conflicting pressures for artistic and technical change as well as for the preservation of 'traditional' production and motifs. The 'auth enticity' of Tibetan carpets is thus called into question.

Key Words: authenticity • carpets • commoditization • handicrafts • Tibetan refugees • tourism

Journal of Material Culture, Vol. 2, No. 3, 291-310 (1997)
DOI: 10.1177/135918359700200302


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