The Song Deer, 135cm silk, storm/steel
The Song Deer brings the gift of serenity and harmony. Its presence is of happiness, but also sensitivity and watchfulness. It is accompanied by gentle music: conch shell trumpets are softly played and the breeze of the white crane’s wings herald its arrival. The parasol protects those around from harmful forces, and winter flowers blossom as the Song Deer nears
Measuring 135cm square (53in sq), 100% silk with fringed edges, dry clean only.
Sabina Savage’s FW23 collection tells a story of the First King of Tibet who has fallen from the heavens to the top of a Himalayan peak, found by the mountain deity Yarlha Shampo. The tiny creature found is perfectly still and peculiar, but despite the oddities Yarlha Shampo senses great presence and signals to the kingdom below, a King has come, a new era is dawning. The messages travels far to the Five Sisters of Longevity. Delighted by the news, they send three of their companions to bring material and spiritual gifts. They send good fortune, strength and gentleness, pertinent offers for any leader.
Sabina created this collection in celebration of the rich and endless beauty of Tibet and she recognizes her indebtedness to the culture and the multitude of Tibetan scholars she worked with to create this collection. Like her own work, the countless mandalas Thangka paintings she studied carry meaning in every minute detail. This collection is a culmination of her research combined with her own imagination, having been deeply and profoundly inspired by her studies.
It is Tibetan custom to offer a khata or ‘greeting scarf’ to friends, relative or guests as a welcome gift or wish of happiness. In her own way, Sabina has created her own khata, and in each of these designs you’ll find khata’s to be given to the first king of Tibet from the various mountain deities.
Sabina worked with Tsultrim Masang, an artist with direct lineage to traditional Tibetan calligraphy and who previously served as the main calligraphy teacher at the D.K. Institute in Dehradun, India. Sabina commissioned Masang to create three Tibetan calligraphy artworks, one for each design. This can be found on the borders of each design. While the message is the same, the style differs on each, one being formal, another ornamental and the last informal. The calligraphy reads ‘tashi delek,’ an auspicious greeting in Tibetan that essentially means “I wish you well.” It is typically said upon meetings, is often written on prayer flags, and seemed the perfect greeting for the animals in the story to bring to the new king. It is also often woven onto the khatas which are a customary Tibetan gift.
