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5. altar frame piece Tibet 17th c. paint on wood 16.5" l., 3.7s" h. |
This richly colored wood carving resembles a Tibetan Manuscript over, but the unusual cantilevered shape and the mortise joint at the top and bottom of the back indicate that it is part of a piece of religious furniture, likely an altar throne or cabinet. In the center is the historical Buddha Shakyamuni on a lion throne, on the left is the Buddha Aksobhya, and on the right the bodhisattva Avalokitesvara. The wood is heavier than that used in most Tibetan furniture, likely a hardwood, and the paint has obtained a rich and lustrous patina. Detail: front detail, enthroned Shakyamuni Detail: back |