Painted Tibetan 'Double Dragon' Storage Chest - 17th Century

Tibetan antique furniture with original painting was always unusual to find but is incredibly difficult to come by. This very decorative dragon chest is one of our favourite pieces from an excellent quality recently acquired collection.

It's painted with paints mixed from minerals, as was the way during this period, and it will therefore always retain its vibrancy.

Painted and incised to the front with a pair of confronting dragons holding an offering bowl of precious jewels, all within a quatrefoil medallion, surrounded by attendant figures, mythical beasts and peaches, all framed by foliate spandrels and a scrolling floral border

Tibetan chests and trunks were used as storage in homes and monasteries. Boxes are normally made from cedar, pine or poplar. If they are painted it is usually just the front and 2 sides. They can either be painted directly on the wood or on older pieces onto a fabric applied to the wood. The colours and designs used are very decorative.