This 19th century Tibetan altar cabinet retains its original hand-painted polychrome decoration, featuring vibrant floral motifs across each panel in rich traditional pigments. Carefully restored in our Wiltshire workshops, the cabinet reveals layers of beautifully aged paintwork and patina, highlighting the craftsmanship and decorative artistry characteristic of antique Tibetan furniture. The warm ochre ground, delicate floral detailing and worn surface create a striking balance between rustic authenticity and refined elegance.

Constructed from pine wood and traditionally used within Tibetan homes and temples, altar cabinets such as this were designed to store ceremonial textiles, religious manuscripts, jewellery and yak butter for temple lamps. Original examples of this quality and age are now increasingly rare, particularly with surviving original painted surfaces intact. The cabinet’s simple architectural form combined with its richly decorated facade makes it both a functional storage piece and a highly decorative statement object.

• Origin: Tibet
• Date: 19th Century
• Material: Pine Wood
• Features: Original Hand-Painted Polychrome Decoration, Floral Motifs, Internal Shelving, Traditional Ring Pull Handles
• Condition: Beautifully Aged Patina With Restored Original Painted Surface, Wear Consistent With Age and Use
• Dimensions: W93 x D48 x H91 cm

References:
For further reading see Wooden Wonders: Tibetan Furniture in Secular and Religious Life by Kamansky and Tibetan Furniture: Identifying · Appreciating · Collecting by Chris Buckley.

For further information on Tibetan symbolism, see Tibetan Buddhist Symbols by Robert Beer.