Painted Tibetan Altar Cabinet - 19thC

This style of Tibetan cabinet is mostly seen in the late 18^th and early 19^th century when the cabinet first became more prominent in Tibet. Before this, chests were the most common form of furniture in Tibet.

The central door panels depict beautifully painted dragons surrounded by lotus and peony flowers. The dragons are painted in side profile with long protruding whiskers, a form more commonly seen in 17^th century Chinese painting. They're framed by the shou symbol, the Chinese symbol for longevity.

Cabinets like this were constructed from cedar or pine and painted using mineral pigments. They were often used as family altars & were used to store religious scrolls, silk ceremonial clothes, family jewelry, and yak butter used in lamps.
Original antique Tibetan cabinets are now very rare and there are many reproduction pieces made in China coming onto the market.

The original kickboard has long since gone and there is a little bowing on the doors which is to be expected given this piece's age.

From China
76 x 39 x 90 (wxdxh cms)

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