Tibetan Furniture: From the Andrew Rogers Collection

Tibetan Furniture

From the Andrew R . Rogers Collection1

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About the Collector Andrew R. Rogers has lived in Asia most of his life, where he became enthralled with the early monastic furniture of the Tibetans, ranging from the 17th century through the 19th centuries. He purchased his first painted Tibetan trunk from a Tibetan refugee in Kathmandu in the 1970s.

From then on, collecting this aesthetically complex yet utilitarian art form of Tibetan furniture has been a passion of his, which has lasted a lifetime. Mr. Rogers, a world-renowned authority on Tibetan furniture, now lives in Thailand.

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Gold-Embellished Chรถsham 19th Century

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This piece of furniture is a shrine upon which small figures of buddhas, bodhisattvas and other tantric deities are placed in the windowed alcoves and atop the stepped shelves, along with other ritual objects. It is typical for Tibetans to place bowls of water, rice, or sweets thereon as offerings to the chosen deities. Jewel-like decorations and auspicious symbols are painted in gold on each step of this fine chรถsham.

Himalayan Art Resources, Item No. 55388

Gold-leaf Dragon Chest 18th Century

The present chest was likely used by a wealthy Tibetan to store their personal belongings. Non-religious symbols like the dragon were popular among lay people, as they were believed to reinforce auspicious outcomes like a long and prosperous life.

Himalayan Art Resources, Item No. 55370

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Car ved and Gilded Chest 17th-18th Century

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The present chest, like the previous chest, was likely used by a wealthy Tibetan to store their personal belongings, as it is also devoid of overtly religious symbols. It is clear that this chest was once completely covered in gold embellishments. Many remnants of the elaborate gold patterns remain,as do carefully placed, carved flowers.

A cloud design appears on the lowermost panel.

Himalayan Art Resources, Item No. 55359

Chest Painted with a Playful Snow Lion, Clouds, with Geometric Motifs 18th Century

The mythical snow lion is the national symbol of Tibet, hence its incorporation into furniture decoration and artworks. The snow lion is said to be the protector of the Buddha, symbolizing fearlessness and clarity.

Himalayan Art Resources, Item No. 55379

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Ritual Table with Elaborate Gold-leaf Embellishments 19th Century

A low table such as the present example is utlized by monks and lamas to place ritual object or religious texts (pecha) during a puja or ritual.

A bowl of jewels appears in the center panel while stylized shou characters appear within the lowermost left and right panels.

Himalayan Art Resources, Item No. 55373

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Ritual Table with Jewel and Foliate Motifs 19th Century

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A small table like this might have been used for the personal practice of a Tibetan Buddhist monk. The jewel and foliate motifs are typical of tables intended for ritual.

Himalayan Art Resources, Item No. 55381

Lower Component of a Cabinet 19th Century

This decorated and carved wooden object should have served as support for a larger cabinet, to give it more height and presence.

The present example includes the remnants of an elaborate floral design.

Himalayan Art Resources, Item No. 55357

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Ritual Table with Jewel and Foliate Motifs 19th Century

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A long table of such height is often found covered in incense, and ritual implements, such as the essential vajra (dorje) and ghanta (drilbu).

This type of beautifully decorated table is likely to be found within a main shrine hall, for use by monks.

Himalayan Art Resources, Item No. 55373

Low Wooden Table 19th Century

Himalayan Art Resources, Item No. 55377

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Chest with Her uka, Serpents, and Severed Heads 19th Century

The present chest is decorated with the attributes of a wrathful Tibetan deity known as a heruka (Tib. drag-thung) or ‘blood-drinker’. A chest like this may have been kept in a protector temple, where wrathful deities are propitiated.

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Himalayan Art Resources, Item No. 55389

Low Wooden Table with Shou Characters 19th Century

Himalayan Art Resources, Item No. 55382

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Tibetan Tr unks Many of these Tibetan trunks are built with metal braces and a centrally located lock plate, with the intent of being portable. Beyond their utility, however, these trunks are works of art. Each of these Tibetan motifs takes inspiration from the surrounding Himalayan cultures and from Chinese aesthetics.

Yet, a distinct Tibetan style is apparent, as furniture making guilds were formed in the seventeenth century under the fifth Dalai Lama to develop a cohesive approach. The collection that follows includes many fine examples of traditional Tibetan trunks.

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Snow Lion Tr unk 18

17th Century

Himalayan Art Resources, Item No. 55362

Snow Lion Tr unk 17th Century

Himalayan Art Resources, Item No. 55363

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Elaborate Tr unk with Dragons and Various Auspicious Symbols Late 17th-18th Century Himalayan Art Resources, Item No. 55366

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Tr unk Adorned with Jewels, Lotuses, and Playful Snow Lions Late 17th Century Himalayan Art Resources, Item No. 55364

Finely Decorated Tr unk with a Dragon Head and Lotuses 18th Century Himalayan Art Resources, Item No. 55371

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Dragon Tr unk with Shou Characters and Swastika (yung-drung) Motifs 24

18th Century

Himalayan Art Resources, Item No. 55356

Foliate and Jewel Adorned Tr unk 26

18th Century

Himalayan Art Resources, Item No. 55355

Red Tr unk with Kirtimukha (zi-bag) and Visvavajra (dorje gya-tram) Motifs 18th Century

Himalayan Art Resources, Item No. 55353

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Elaborate Tr unk with Entwined Dragons 17th Century Himalayan Art Resources, Item No. 55364

Tr unk with a Color ful Diaper Design 30

18th Century

Himalayan Art Resources, Item No. 55358

Tr unk Depicting the Chinese Monk Hvashang 18th-19th Century Himalayan Art Resources, Item No. 55360

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Tr unk with Kirtimukha (zi-bag) and Cloud Motifs 18th Century

Himalayan Art Resources, Item No. 55354

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Red Tr unk with Dragon, Jewel, and Floral Motifs 34

18th Century

Himalayan Art Resources, Item No. 55371

Tiger Pelt Tr unk 18th-19th Century Himalayan Art Resources, Item No. 55386

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Tr unk with Raised Decoration Depicting a Dragon Among Lotuses 36

18th Century

Himalayan Art Resources, Item No. 55375

Tr unk Decorated with Floral Elements and Flaming Jewels 38

18th Century

Himalayan Art Resources, Item No. 55374

Color ful Tr unk Painted with a Snow Lion and Lotus Flowers 40

18th Century

Himalayan Art Resources, Item No. 55376

Tr unk Depicting a Dragon with a Bowl of Jewels and an Elaborate Geometric and Floral Design 18th Century

Himalayan Art Resources, Item No. 55369

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Tr unk Depicting a King, Gar uda, and a Tiger 18th Century

Himalayan Art Resources, Item No. 55372

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Ornate Tr unk Decorated with Three Dragons and Multi-Colored Clouds 44

18th Century

Himalayan Art Resources, Item No. 55376

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Highly-Embellished Tr unk with a Front-Facing Dragon at Center 18th-19th Century Himalayan Art Resources, Item No. 55385

Floral Tr unk Depicting a Black Dragon with a Diaper Border 18th Century

Himalayan Art Resources, Item No. 55383

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Floral Tr unk Depicting Two Dragons Holding a Bowl of Jewels 18th Century Himalayan Art Resources, Item No. 55368

Red Tr unk Depicting Jambhala 18th Century Himalayan Art Resources, Item No. 55387

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