Help me identify this wood block art thing

October 17, 2017 8:46 PM

We inherited a wood block carving from some well traveled relatives. Unfortunately, they don't remember anything about it as it has been sitting in a closet for many years. Help us figure out where it's from, and any other details about it.

Here it is: Google Drive Link

posted by emmatrotsky to Grab Bag (3 answers total)

It's a Tibetan woodblock for printing, possibly for a prayer flag? (compare this image of a lung ta or "wind horse"). I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will be able to identify it with greater certainty.
posted by wreckingball at 9:07 PM on October 17, 2017

wreckingball has it. The proportions and lungta motif are good indicators that it was used to print prayer flags. The Tibetan script on the block appears in reverse, so that it would transfer correctly onto the printed surface.

Out of curiosity, what are its dimensions?
posted by Anita Bath at 9:18 PM on October 17, 2017 [2 favorites]

Response by poster: Thank you for the answers! It is about 8.5" wide x 13.5" tall.
posted by emmatrotsky at 7:52 AM on October 18, 2017