Large Tibetan Dragon Wooden Chest

A sturdy wooden chest in a rich red, featuring a Tibetan dragon in flight on the front, surrounded by cloud motifs in blue, green, orange, and pink. Part of the decoration is rendered in gesso relief: Raised dots and lines made from a paste of chalk and glue are applied to the painting and then painted or gilded—a technique typically found on thangka frames and monastery furniture, which lends the image depth when viewed in raking light. The sides feature additional motifs, including the flaming jewel; the lid is decorated with floral ornamentation and a symbol of good fortune in the center. The interior of the casket is glazed in a dark shade and left unadorned. The clasp is made of brass.

The dragon is one of the four symbols of dignity in Tibetan art and appears on furniture, chests, and door frames; it is associated with clouds, thunder, and fertile rain.

Width 49.5 cm · Depth 26 cm · Height 23 cm · Wood, painted · Brass clasp · Handcrafted in Nepal