Frequently Asked Questions
What is Thangka?
Thangka is an ancient type of Tibetan art, which has been practiced and preserved in the Himalayan region for over two thousand years. Thangka is a Tibetan word, which means 'recorded message'. The painting can be explored like a map through visual symbols and colours
Authentic premium quality Thangkas are rarely reproduced nowadays and have near enough become extinct. Thangkas are meant to combine fine art with spirituality, to create a captivating art piece filled with philosophical meaning
To find our more please visit 'What is Thangka' page
What kind of paint is used?
The paint used to make a premium quality Thangka is derived from precious & semi-precious natural minerals, crystals and plant materials, such as pearl, coral, lapiz lazuli, cinnabar, sulfur, azurite, malachite etc. These natural substances are well known for their healing properties and power
The artist grinds the material to a fine powder and mixes it with hide glue and water to create the paint. This guarantees that the colours of the painting stay vivid and vibrant throughout the years. The final touch is made by applying 24 Carat Gold and Sterling Silver
Feel free to visit 'What is Thangka' page for more information
Are your Thangkas really the best quality?
We have travelled to the most secluded spots in the Himalayas, visiting hundreds of temples and private art dealers to find the best quality Thangkas
Depending on the size and quality of details it can take an artist up to three years to complete a single piece, using 24 Carat Gold, Sterling Silver and Himalayan minerals. All our Thangkas are guaranteed to be original, authentic and brand new
Feel free to visit 'About Us' page to find out more about our journey
Where do you get your Thangkas from?
All of our paintings come from the original birthplace of Thangkas, which is Nepal, Tibet, North India and Bhutan. The majority of the paintings are made by the Nepalese and Tibetan Lamas and expats, as they are the original holders of the Thangka secrets
Are there any benefits of owning a Thangka according to Buddhism?
There are a lot of philosophies and studies about the flow and movement of energy within a space and how to guide it to offer the best benefits to the person. Among them, there is Feng Shui which is an ancient Chinese science of harmony and prosperous living. It suggests that one of the best ways to eliminate negative and enhance positive energies around us is to keep the right piece of art
Other philosophies, such as Indian Vastu Shastra and Japanese Wabi Sabi, agree on this and suggest that the right painting can help bring harmony to peoples’ lives through improving the space where they spend the majority of their time
Thangkas often use sacred geometry to create perfect geometrical shapes and aesthetic looks, which can help create a sacred space at home. All over Asia, Thangkas are used as spiritual symbols to attract wealth and abundance, as well as a protective tool against any unwanted situations and energies
To find out more please visit 'Thangka Secrets' page
What are the paintings dimensions?
All paintings have different dimensions since every painting is unique
We quote the inner dimensions of every painting, which is the painting's dimension within the coloured frame. Each painting has coloured borders, which measure approximately 5-10 centimeters (1.9-3.9" inches) depending on the size of the painting. These borders can be altered and are usually not displayed when the painting is put in a frame
Do you sell paintings with the frame?
All our paintings are sold unframed
How are Thangkas kept?
Thangkas are traditionally kept unframed and rolled up when not on display
What is the best way to hang the painting?
The paintings are best kept when they are framed
Do you ship internationally?
Yes! We would like our paintings to bring joy and happiness all over the world, that is why we ship globally
Is it safe to ship the paintings internationally?
We have shipped our paintings to more than 20 countries and we have never had any issues with shipping internationally
How do you ship paintings?
We ship paintings in specially designed hard cardboard tubes
What are your shipping times?
We aim to have your items delivered to you within 15 working days from the day of your order. Please note, date of delivery may vary due to carrier shipping practices, delivery location, customs & clearance, method of delivery, and the items ordered
How to pay customs duty?
Most countries charge customs duty on imported items, which is generally around 20% of the items value but the percentage can vary. Buyer is responsible for any customs duty incurred at the time when the painting passes through the border of buyer's country of origin. This is paid directly to the relevant government bodies in your country. You can track the progress of your delivery through the tracking number you will receive when you buy a painting
There are currently no customs duty charges on paintings shipped within the European Union. If you need help with finding information about customs duty charges in your country please get in touch with us via info@gammas.com and we will try our best to clarify this for you
Are there any hidden charges?
There are no hidden charges. The price you see in the checkout page is the total price you pay
Do you keep card details?
We do not keep your card details
Do you do invoicing?
We automatically generate and send you an invoice by email
What if the painting I am interested in is not available?
Every item is unique and subject to availability. In case the painting you are interested in is not available we will try our best to find something that you may also like
You can also request a special commission with the painting designed just for you
Please get in touch with us via info@gammas.com if you have any questions
Do you provide a gift option?
We provide gift options! Just send an email with any requests to info@gammas.com
Do you provide installation and interior design advice?
We work with accredited energetic design consultants, who can help you determine the best place to hang the painting at your home or in an office space. Please get in touch with us via info@gammas.com and we will pass your request and contact details to the relevant consultant
Do you have more questions?
Please feel free to get in touch with us via info@gammas.com