Mongol appliqué, characterized by unique Mongolian styled designs and outstanding needlework, evolved from the early art of Hunnu felt appliqué. Although this art form dates back to a 2000 years old Mongolian tradition, it has not significantly developed outside of Mongolia.
Appliqués are similar to thangka paintings in their composition, color and content, but are unique in so far as their production requires extreme investments of time and effort, considerable patience and meticulous stitching of silk by artistic seamstresses.
The appliqué is unique in its splendor and color detail, its creation involving the contrasting colors of silk, embroidering with silk thread, and inlaying with the utmost precision to create an effect entirely different form that drawings and paintings. The Mongol appliqué is produced based on an original drawing to form templates for the fabric.
These are then fastened onto individually selected pieces of silk. Next the silk shapes are quilted together and affixed to a silk background with a border. Finally, string is affixed to the quilt for hanging and dowel is inserted at the bottom to provide a weight.
Large appliqué at Zanabazar art Museum.
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