Painted Tibetan Dragon Storage Chest - 18th Century

This beautiful 18^th century Tibetan chest is a rare chance to purchase a published piece of Tibetan furniture. This exact chest is featured in 'Tibetan Furniture: Identifying, Appreciating, Collecting' by Chris Buckley, fig.128. 

This beautiful chest features an enigmatic Cheshire Cat-like Tibetan dragon with a grinning face on a red painted and gilt interlocking Y textile pattern background. This ancient pattern was likely inspired by Central Asian body armour. 

The dragon (druk in Tibetan) is a symbol of power and authority and was associated with the water element rather than fire as in the West. The dragon is an ancient symbol recognisable examples can be found as early as the Han dynasty (206 BC - AD 211). He has a particularly cheeky face forming almost a smile.

Chests and trunks were used as storage in homes and monasteries. This trunk is made from cedar and pine. It's less common for them to be painted, however this one is painted a faded green on the sides. The front is painted on a layer of leather as is seen on older Tibetan pieces. This piece is supplied with a bespoke black stand.

Dimensions:

127 x 46 x 63 (wxdxh cms) 

Height including stand 84cm

References: 

Published in 'Tibetan Furniture: Identifying, Appreciating, Collecting' by Chris Buckley, Figure 128, pages 132 & 133.

From Tibet

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