Antique 19th Century Tibetan Alter Cabinet

Description

A genuine Tibetan cabinet dating from the late 18th to early 19th century, still retaining its original hand painted panels. … more A genuine Tibetan cabinet dating from the late 18th to early 19th century, still retaining its original hand painted panels.
Original Tibetan cabinets are now extremely rare to find in this condition.
Tibetan altar cabinets were originally used as family altars for storage of religious items such as scrolls, silk ceremonial clothes and precious yak butter, which was burnt in lamps during prayers.
Elaborately decorated with Tibetan symbols such as:
Tibetan triple gem with flames licking up around them - symbolize three components of Buddhist society : the Buddha, the Buddhist teachings (Dharma) and the Buddhist community (Sangha).
Two-color Jewel disc (norbu gakyil)
Bottom panels with painted tigers which are associated with strength and power.
Cranes stylised as phoenixes which itself symbolizes wealth. Two central panels have two symmetrical pairs of cranes surrounded by flames and clouds with single ones on side panels. Cranes, which are believed to mate for life, have associations with long life and marital fidelity.
An extremely unusual altar cabinet of desirable size.
In good, original, antique condition with usual signs of age and use as expected,
Dimensions:
Length : 106cm
Depth: 50cm
High: 100cm less