Artifacts

Antique Tibetan Painted Box

This charming rectangular, lidded box comes from Tibet.

It was formed of wood and surfaced with a woven fiber, which was then coated with many layers of a lac like substance. A silver gilt paint has been applied. Finely detailed, polychrome decorative painting of a floral motif dominates the silvered background on front and sides.

The backside is painted a dark brown. Upper and lower corners are accentuated with native brass hardware. The front closure is made of engraved brass with square cutout where a circle of heavy brass is inserted and positioned as a rudimentary locking/closing device.

This rustic, yet refined, antique stands about 8 in. high, and is 11 in. long and 5 in. deep.

* Additional views available on request.