Choksar Prayer Table from Mongolia - 19th Century

This is an excellent example of an antique Mongolian painted choksar, dating from the 19th century. Choksars are traditional low tables associated with Buddhist monastic life and were used by monks for reading scriptures, supporting scrolls, and ritual objects.

This particular choksar is richly decorated, with a finely painted repeating geometric and floral pattern running around the upper frame. At the centre are two framed painted panels containing delicate floral decoration, executed with restraint and balance. The surface shows a beautifully aged patina, with wear that enhances rather than detracts from the painted detail.

Choksars, along with antique Mongolian and Tibetan furniture more broadly, are becoming increasingly rare. They were commonly used in monastic settings where yak butter lamps were burned regularly, often leaving furniture coated in a darkened, sticky residue over time. Our expert team has carefully cleaned this piece, removing the residue while preserving its age, surface wear, and original character.

The choksar features a sliding panel at the top that reveals an internal storage compartment, along with three drawers below, making it both historically significant and practically useful today.

• Origin: Mongolia
• Date: 19th century
• Materials: Painted pine wood
• Features: Hand-painted decoration, sliding top panel, internal storage compartment, three drawers
• Condition: Sensitively restored, with surface wear and patina consistent with age and devotional use
• Dimensions: W79 x D28 x H50 cm