Trunk with Flaming Jewel Flanked by Dragons

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Trunk with Flaming Jewel Flanked by Dragons

Tibet, 17th-18th century
Furnishings; Furniture
Wood with cloth, mineral pigments, and gilding; metal fittings
25 1/4 x 54 1/2 x 20 in. (64.14 x 138.43 x 50.8 cm)
Gift of the 2010 Collectors Committee (M.2010.84)
South and Southeast Asian Art
Not currently on public view

Curator Notes

...
This trunk is adorned with a flaming wish-fulfilling jewel, symbolic of the Three Jewels (triratna) of Buddhism: the Buddha (the enlightened one), the Dharma (the teachings and path to enlightenment), and the Sangha (the community of practitioners). The precious gem rises from a lotus blossom. It is flanked by a pair of dark green confronting dragons. Scrolling lotus foliage in gold fills the background. There are cloud-form corner designs in gold. The wang zi (continuous swastika) painted border around the central panel　continues on the front edge of the trunk lid. It has reinforcement metal fittings and a locking hasp. See David Kamansky, ed., Wooden Wonders: Tibetan Furniture in Secular and Religious Life (Pasadena: Pacific Asia Museum and Chicago: Serindia Publications, 2004), pp. 262-263, no. 83. See also M.2010.78.1, M.2010.78.8, and M.2010.80.2.
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