Tibetan Green & Red Poppy Cabinet, C. 1850

Details

Description

Crafted in 19th-century Tibet, this extraordinary cabinet is beautifully decorated from end to end with hand-painted floral motifs. Brushed in … Read more Crafted in 19th-century Tibet, this extraordinary cabinet is beautifully decorated from end to end with hand-painted floral motifs. Brushed in a cool palette of green, red, blue and gold, the painted facade is a celebration of traditional artistry and harkens back to a bygone era. Hand-painted details reveal the artist's patience and skill, traceable in the intricate linework and tonal shading of every petal.

The cabinet front consists of six inset panels, each painted with a round medallion of green leaves and red blossoms, reminiscent of poppies or peonies. A stylized shou character (壽) emerges from the petals of the centermost flowers, the symbol of longevity. The blossoms are enclosed by a border of blue geometric scrollwork interlaced with leafy vine tendrils and the surrounding frame is further decorated with red-and-green florals against a contrasting golden-yellow field.

For use as a sideboard or buffet, the cabinet's originally closed front has been modified to open by four small, front-facing doors, revealing two interior compartments. The back, sides and top of the chest have been left undecorated, save for a layer of black paint that has faded with time to accentuate the underlying chiseled texture.

Additional Dimensions:
Door Openings: 23.5"W x 15.25"D x 14.75"H See less