Conservation of Thangkas - A Review of the Literature Since the 1970s

Thangkas (Tibetan painted banners) are religious objects still in use in their original Himalayan context; they are also encountered in Western collections where they are considered as ethnographic objects or works of art. Conservation of thangkas goes far beyond technical considerations and encompasses issues such as treatment of sacred objects in another culture, trans-disciplinary conservation and ethics in the conservation of living cultural heritage. This article reviews the publications on thangkas focused either on techniques and materials or on conservation treatment options. Treatment approaches have varied since the 1970s when thangkas were first mentioned in the conservation literature. These are discussed in the context of the conservation of living heritage and its role in the presentation and perception of diverse cultural identities.