Darjeeling, India
The Tibetan Refugee Self Help Centre was started at Darjeeling on 2 October 1959 and is home to 650 people. Handicraft production is its main work. Carpets are woven in the Tibetan manner from a catalogue of about thirty designs, among them Dragon with Phoenix, Crane and Mandala, and the waiting period on a carpet order runs to a year. Other departments make thangkas, carved wooden folding tables, frames and wall hangings, bronze and copper vessels, prayer wheels, leather boots and shoes, and woollen apparel including coats, jackets, chubas, caps, shawls and blankets.
Tibetan carpets, thangkas, carved wooden tables and frames, wall hangings, bronze and copper ware, prayer wheels, leather boots, woollen apparel
Carpets woven by hand in the Tibetan manner from a catalogue of about thirty designs, including Dragon with Phoenix, Crane and Mandala. An order carries a waiting period of about one year.
Scroll paintings made by hand in the centre workshop. They are produced alongside the carpet and craft departments on the Darjeeling site.
Folding tables, frames and wall hangings carved by hand in the woodwork department. All carving is done on site at Darjeeling.
Metal work covering bronze and copper pots and prayer wheels. Pieces are made in the centre metal department.
Woollen coats, jackets, chubas, pullovers, caps, mufflers, socks and gloves, with aprons, shawls and blankets. All are made in the centre tailoring and weaving departments.