Gilt Painted Tibetan Altar Cabinet - Late 19th Century Tansu Originally part of a traditional

Originally part of a traditional window or shutter

a decorative detail often associated with traditional Chinese symbolism and craftsmanship

Originally this piece would have been painted multiple times during its lifetime

18 x 18 x 32 (wxdxh cms)

Gilt Painted Tibetan Altar Cabinet - Late 19th Century Tansu Originally part of a traditionalThis antique Tibetan altar cabinet is gilt and polychromed with dragons among the clouds decorating each of its four doors. The painting design is a ragdul finish over fine kyungbur gesso work and the style is similar to that found in Tsurpu monastery in Central Tibet suggesting this cabinet could be from that region. Ragdul (Dutch Gold) was a technique of gilding using brass powder The dragons on this cabinet are painted in the Qing style. This is a