A thangka can be a meaningful gift, for a new home, a recovery or someone interested in meditation. A few things are worth checking before you choose one.

Pick the subject with care. Medicine Buddha is often given for health and healing, Green Tara for protection, and a mandala suits someone who meditates. Look closely at the details: a hand-painted piece has fine, slightly uneven brush lines and real texture, while a print is flat and uniform. Ask whether the paint is natural mineral pigment and whether the gold is real, and check the size against the wall where it will hang.

A certificate or the artist's name is a nice extra. If you are comparing options, Buy authentic thangka painting has hand-painted pieces with the deity, size and materials listed clearly.