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Collections

Unknown
Table with Snow Lions19th century

Not on view
Painted wooden chest with vermillion-red front panel decorated with floral urns, a central offering vessel, and two facing lion-dog figures, with dark geometric border trim
Painted wooden cabinet with two doors, each decorated with a circular swirling motif in red, green, and blue with a gold border, set against a dark painted surface with scrolling patterns. Small metal ring pulls at center. Worn reddish-brown painted frame.
Painted wooden chest with dark frame and vivid red panels, decorated with polychrome motifs including paired mythical creatures, large peony blossoms, flowering vases, and a deer; narrow border of repeating geometric and floral patterns along the base and edges.
Painted wooden storage chest on short legs with a flat overhanging lid, red ground panels decorated with polychrome motifs including peacocks among fruiting trees on the left side, and flowering plants in vases, a mythical lion figure, and offering vessels on the front panel.
Painted wooden panel with a deep red ground depicting three green parrots among fruit-laden trees, with orange and dark blue fruit clusters; a gilded ritual vessel at lower center; framed by a carved and painted border with floral motifs in worn polychrome.
Painted wooden panel with a red ground depicting a striped tiger wearing a jeweled collar and chain, standing beneath a fruiting tree; bordered by a carved and painted floral scroll frame with green, red, and blue pigments, showing areas of paint wear.
Artist or Maker
Unknown
Title
Table with Snow Lions
Place Made
Tibet
Date Made
19th century
Medium
Wood with mineral pigments and gesso; brass fittings
Dimensions
17 3/8 x 29 7/8 x 13 5/16 in. (44.13 x 75.88 x 33.81 cm)
Credit Line
Indian Art Special Purpose Fund
Accession Number
AC1992.75.1
Classification
Furnishings
Collecting Area
South and Southeast Asian Art
Curatorial Notes

Tables were a quintessential accoutrement in Tibetan monasteries, temples, and shrines in many private homes. They facilitated religious ceremonies by displaying and storing various ritual objects, musical instruments, and offerings, and by supporting sacred texts to be read. See Tony Anninos, "Tibetan Tables: The Evolution of Style and Function," in David Kamansky, ed., Wooden Wonders: Tibetan Furniture in Secular and Religious Life (Pasadena: Pacific Asia Museum and Chicago: Serindia Publications, 2004), pp. 95-105.

This table is adorned on the front with painted and raised gesso decorations of animated snow lions supporting a bowl of wish-fulfilling gems with their inner paws and an auspicious conch shell and sacred water vessel with their outer paws. An ornamental swag of jewels dangles between them. The snow lions are flanked by a pair of wealth vases (yangbum) that are inscribed with Chinese characters, including the shou character for long life. Each vase is filled with burgeoning flowers. One end panel has three birds perched on a branch, display stand, and the rim of a bowl of offerings. The largest bird is eating fruit or precious gems from the tree above. The other end panel has a prancing tiger tethered to a tree with his hind leg raised. The back of the table has two doors embellished with multicolored yin-yang or taijitu symbols. The multicolored yin-yang symbols are a later conception than the earlier monochromatic yin-yang symbols and symbolize a greater range of creative energies in balance.