Antique Tibetan Altar Cabinet

The finish and paintings on this once brightly decorated cabinet are all old, with a painted design that is typical of Tibetan furniture. Lotus flowers, representing rebirth in Tibetan Buddhism, adorn the door panels in muted blues, creams, reds, and greens. The two central sets of doors provide access to the spacious interior, with fixed outer panels on either side. Inside, there is a single removable shelf.

Made from pine or cedar, this type of cabinet was originally used by Buddhist monks in Tibet to store religious documents, ceremonial robes, and valuable items. Despite being primitive in design and construction, these cabinets are now rare, especially those that still have their original finish and old paintings, such as this one.