An original hand painted Tibetan storage trunk, dating to the late 1800s, decorated with richly painted motifs in mineral pigments. The front panel features a central lotus blossom flanked by scrolling foliage and auspicious symbols, framed within a bold red border accented by repeating characters for longevity. The top and sides, though more subdued with age and wear, retain traces of the original painted surface, enhancing its character and authenticity.
Trunks such as this were essential furnishings in Tibetan households and monasteries, serving both practical storage purposes and as a focal point for decorative and symbolic display. The lotus, central to the design, represents purity and spiritual awakening, while the surrounding auspicious motifs convey blessings of prosperity, protection, and harmony.
The trunk’s deep, earthy palette of green, orange, and red reflects the Tibetan artistic tradition of grounding sacred imagery in vibrant color. Despite natural wear consistent with use, the painting remains clear and powerful, offering a window into 19th-century Tibetan craftsmanship and devotional life.

Age: late 1800's

49" long 24 1/2' high x 15 1/2" deep