This nonfiction debut illuminates the cultural heritage of the Golden Valley region in eastern Tibet, including its art, furniture, and rituals.

Many Tibetan artworks have been destroyed over the centuries, particularly following China’s occupation of Tibet and the Cultural Revolution. In the Golden Valley, some items still remain, chiefly in monasteries. Huber spent 12 years visiting the Golden Valley, focusing on the Lower Senge Monastery, examining its endangered treasures. He visited libraries and conducted interviews with monks and villagers, gathering oral history and insights into Buddhist artworks’ symbolism, manufacture, and so on to pinpoint their unique characteristics. Huber draws on his expertise in art and antique furniture restoration, as well as furniture design and manufacturing, to inform his discussion and to guide speculative judgments, which can be necessary because so little information exists—even employing radiocarbon dating to nail down a detail. Glantz, a professional market researcher and a traveler to Tibet, further analyzes Huber’s findings and tells the story. The book first gives background information and the history of the Golden Valley, both oral and documented, from the ninth century to 2008. Huber and Glantz assess the region’s various cultural productions, including art on cloth and other media, monastic furniture, and prayer wheels, identifying styles, techniques, and materials and how they changed. They also describe the Golden Valley’s monasteries and the village of Senge. Finally, they list the characteristics of Tibetan Buddhist symbolism as used in the Senge Monastery’s art. Three useful appendices give information on Buddhist rituals and monastic rules, and an index is included. The authors’ tone can be overly casual; for example, one Buddhist celestial realm “is not very popular, because who wants to do more work?” But Huber and Glantz gather information available nowhere else; they set the record straight on matters such as what is or is not a reading desk; they get into the nitty-gritty of materials, techniques, and changing styles; and they provide a wealth of photographs documenting their study.

An invaluable resource for students of Tibetan Buddhist art, history, symbolism, and culture.

Pub Date: May 22nd, 2016

ISBN: 978-0-9975669-0-1

Page count: 210pp

Publisher: Baronet World Wide

Program: Kirkus Indie

Synopsis: The recent discovery of a rich cultural treasure trove of ancient Tibetan monastic art and furniture shines a light on an overlooked cluster of monasteries located in an eastern region of Tibet known as The Golden Valley. Tracing the tumultuous history of the valley from the 7th century to the present day, a history sometimes triumphant but often atrociously tragic, provides the backdrop for the many influences on the evolution of its art, whether from enlightened Buddhist teachers or murderous invading armies. Richly photographed, the book not only features the art itself - from exquisite centuries-old wall hangings to ingeniously designed furniture, all produced by dedicated monks - but also explains in unprecedented detail the symbolism and philosophy incorporated into these pieces, their stunning decorations serving a dual purpose as teaching devices. Finally, the book introduces the reader to daily life at the monasteries. It delves into the everyday routines of the monks and nearby villagers, and the continued practice, even under today's repressive conditions, of such ancient and profound rituals as the chanting of special mantras, sutras and pujas. These and other rites are explained in great detail, right down to the deep significance of the simple act of spinning a prayer wheel. Taken together, the art showcased in this book is meant to guide the reader into the culture, mind and faith of the artists and their communities, and tell their previously untold story.

Critique: Illustrated with full-color photography throughout, The Golden Valley: The Untold Story of The Other Cultural Center of Tibet is an exquisite tour of the art and cultural history of Tibet's Golden Valley region. Monastic art is not displayed in a vacuum; the text thoughtfully chronicles Tibet's rich and sometimes violent history, as well as the purpose and symbolism of works, and how they enriched daily life and prayers at Buddhist monasteries. As much an introduction to the faith, culture, and way of life of Golden Valley artists as it is a display of art, The Golden Valley is highly recommended for personal, public, and college library art history collections.