| Description |
Gold and silver smithy or metal carving had flourished in the country for a long time as evident from the ornaments worn by women and religious artefacts in monasteries and temples. This art is still being practiced and transmitted.
It is a highly specialized art form. A special class of craftsmen called Troe-ko make jewelry of gold and silver and other items such as swords, boxes, teapots, and various ornaments of silver, often thinly plated with gold. Traditional symbols such as the dragon and other beautiful motifs are engraved on the objects. Silverwork is also found on the pillars of temples, altar tables, jewelry and other religious items. Using precious stones and metals such as coral, turquoise, silver and gold, these artisans make brooches, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings, amulets with religious content, traditional vessels (Chaka and Trimi) for carrying the much-chewed beetle nut, ritual objects and much more.
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| Transmission method |
With the holistic goal of promoting Bhutanese culture through the preservation of traditional arts and crafts, reviving the dying craft skills and passing them on to the younger generations, and creating job opportunities and self-employment, the Royal Government of Bhutan established two institutes: the National Institute of Zorig Chusum, founded in 1971, and the Trashiyangtse Institute of Zorig Chusum (TIZC), founded in 1967.
These institutes offer various art forms of traditional painting (Lha-zo), sculpture (Jim-zo), wood carving (Shag-zo), bronze casting (Lug-zo), embroidery (Tshem-zo), weaving (Thag-zo), carpentry (Par-zo) including slate carving, gold/silver smithing (Trozo), and black smithing (Garzo).
Traditional hand-beaten methods are used in the manufacture of jewelry and other items. The metal is under laid with lacquer, and the pattern is hammered out with blunt chisels in the manner of ancient old relief.
Ornaments:
a. Koma (women's brooches): Bhutanese women use comas or brooches to fasten their dress to their shoulders, and a chain (Jab-tha) to hang from the chest, connecting the two brooches.
b. Jab-tha (chain): The Jab-tha is a chain that holds together a pair of brooches worn by women on their shoulders. It is handmade of copper and silver, often with a gold overlay.
c. Thin-khab (Fibulas): Fibulas were usually made of silver and used to secure a woman's dress to her shoulders, but could also be used as a weapon when necessary. Today it is no longer in use and has been replaced by ornate silver brooches (Koma), which come in various shapes and sizes and with different designs.
d. Dop-chu (bracelets or bangles): Bracelets/bangles, called Dop-chu, were worn by Bhutanese women in earlier times, and today only the lighter versions of the bracelets are worn. They are handmade from both gold and silver and are either engraved or have special designs on them.
e. Sin-chu (Earring) & Ring: Earrings or Sin-chu and rings are usually made of silver and gold and set with turquoise or other precious stones.
Domestic items:
a. Sword and scabbard: A sword is worn on a thick belt decorated with silver buckles. It used to be worn as a symbol of nobility and prestige, but today only officials who have been appointed Dasho (distinguished officer) by the king are allowed to wear it. The swords were made mainly in the west, south and east of the country (Punakha, Dungsamkha and Khaling). The scabbard of the ceremonial swords, made of leather, is decorated with silver in various places and finished with gold leaf. The blade, forged in eastern Bhutan, is often engraved and decorated with fine decorative patterns. The sword has a beautifully decorated handle of braided steel wire with knobs of silver and gold.
b. Ko-chab (men's ceremonial belt): Traditionally made of thick felt, the belt is decorated with six fine buckles of silver with gold plating and is used to fasten the inner belt and the sword worn by high officials and nobles. These belts come in different designs and sizes, depending on the wearer.
c. Cha-ka (rectangular box with betal leaves and areca nuts): This rectangular box is a personal item used by both men and women to store betel leaves and areca nuts and is carried everywhere. It is handcrafted from silver with gold plating and is often ornately decorated with the eight lucky signs, lotus, dragon and other designs.
d. Ba-thra (round box with betal leaves and areca nuts): This large round box, handmade of silver with gold plating and decorated with the eight lucky signs, was used exclusively by nobles and high-ranking clergy for traditional offerings of betel leaves and areca nuts during special occasions and ceremonies.
e. Tre-mi (lime jar): This personal round vessel is traditionally used to store lime and is always worn with the Cha-ka or Ba-thra. It is handmade of silver with a gold finish and dragon motifs.
Religious items
Handmade religious items made of silver are often engraved with gold or embossed in various patterns. Dung (horn), Choe-ting (water offering bowls), Dorji & Dril-bu (vajra and brass bell), Bumpa (vase) etc. are some of the religious items.
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