- Title
- Trunk with Flaming Jewel Flanked by Dragons
- Date Made
- 17th-18th century
- Medium
- Wood with cloth, mineral pigments, and gilding; metal fittings
- Dimensions
- 25 1/4 x 54 1/2 x 20 in. (64.14 x 138.43 x 50.8 cm)
- Accession Number
- M.2010.84
- Collecting Area
- South and Southeast Asian Art
- Curatorial 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.
