Regong Barbola
Known as "Guidang" in Tibetan, barbola literally refers to thangka made from silk and satin. It is an artistic form crafted through meticulous cutting, careful ironing, pasting, and piecing together, with colored cotton cloth, silk, and satin as the main materials. This art uniquely combines the techniques of relief sculpture and embroidery. In a broad sense, barbola falls under the category of thangka. Among the diverse genres of Regong art, barbola, together with painting (thangka) and sculpture (clay sculpture, wood carving), is collectively hailed as one of the "Three Treasures of Regong Art".
Barbola Craftsmanship
Regong barbola is a distinctive craft that integrates embroidery and relief sculpture. Artisans select silk and satin of various colors, cut them into shapes of figures, flowers, birds, and other motifs, and then paste and press these cut-outs onto paper molds. They layer the pieces one by one according to the depth of color, creating a striking three-dimensional effect that resembles a colorful silk relief. Most of its themes are derived from Buddhist scripture stories, with figures as the core elements. Great emphasis is placed on the postures and expressions of the figures, as well as the color matching of the silk and satin. The art form exudes delicacy within its bold style, featuring prominent subjects and strong color contrasts that fully showcase the charm of this intangible cultural heritage.
Inheritance and Development
Amidst social changes, a group of barbola inheritors has emerged in the Regong area, ensuring the continuation of this ancient craft. Today, barbola works have transcended their original roles as temple decorations and religious items, evolving into precious artistic treasures available in the market. The local area has witnessed an unprecedented boom, which has profoundly transformed people's lives. For artisans, barbola is not merely a craft, but more importantly, a form of spiritual practice and heritage. Ordinary scraps of cloth, through cutting, layering, pasting, and embroidering, are turned into soulful masterpieces that blend art and faith, carry the weight of time, and enable a dialogue of the soul—radiating an eternal charm.