Painted Tibetan 'Floral' Storage Chest - 18thC

This Tibetan antique chests dates to the 18th century and has polychrome painting throughout. The two central characters on your chest are Garuda surrounded by an interlocking swastika motif. Garuda is considered a protector and guardian of treasures and is well known within Hinduism as the vehicle of Lord Shiva. In Tibetan Buddhism he is also the vehicle of Amoghasiddhi, the green Buddha. His wings represent the union of method and wisdom.
The swastika is found in almost every known culture in the world with its earliest known depiction in the Indus valley which was founded in the 25th century BC. In Tibet the clockwise swastika is male and anti-clockwise is female and associated with the unchangeable path. Trailing vines and blossoms can be seen painted across the chest on an ochre background. 

The painting is original €œun-touched€� with mineral pigments which will retain its vibrant colour. It is constructed from cedar wood with some minor repairs. The right side of the lid has been replaced. 

From Tibet

90 x 33x 47 (wxdxh cms)

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