About Tibetan Furniture

There is no tradition of fine furniture in Tibet, as there is in China. Because of their largely nomadic existence, most ordinary Tibetans had little if any furniture. There were no chairs, as people preferred to sit on the rug, on the floor or a low platform. Small tables, some of them portable, were used to serve food and drink; especially butter tea.

For the house-hold shrine, there would be a stand or alter table on which offerings could be placed.  Chests were used to store precious things and the wealthier households might use large cabinets. Commonly, only the front of the chest was painted, as they were usually stacked up.

The most often used motifs and decorations were dragons, phoenixes, and a variety of floral and geometric designs. The front panels may also be scenes from everyday life, mythical stories, landscapes, or deities in their different settings. Eight auspicious Buddhist emblems, including the Lotus, Vase, Tibetan Snow Lion, Deer and Endless Knot were common motifs on chests and cabinets.  Their love of flowers and nature is also exhibited.  These images and vibrant colors on Tibetan furniture reflect the warm and cheerful character of the Tibetan people.

Antique Tibetan painted furniture has been in such high demand since it burst onto the Western market that today it is hard to find authentic pieces.  Continued interest makes the production of chests and cabinets with traditional motifs once again a thriving activity for Tibetans.  Many of them have moved and now conduct business in neighboring Nepal due to unstable political problems in their own country.

Our gallery carries many authentic pieces.