Painted 'Pegam' Altar Cabinet From Tibet - 18thC Style - Tea Caddy Bhumisparsha means "Touching the earth"

Bhumisparsha means "Touching the earth" and symbolises Buddha's enlightenment beneath the Bodhi tree

Originally made in Europe and exported to India as lighting for large homes and palaces in the 19th century candles or oil lamps would have been placed inside with a glass lid to prevent soot from marking the ceiling

29 x 16 x 34 (wxdxh cms)

Men of the tribes were heavily tattooed across their bodies including on their faces

This Japanese kannon biraki tansu chest dates to the very end of the Edo period (1603-1868) - circa 1840 or 1850

Painted 'Pegam' Altar Cabinet From Tibet - 18thC Style - Tea Caddy Bhumisparsha means "Touching the earth"An incredibly good example of a pegam prayer table from Tibet with original painting, dating from the 18th century. Pegams were used by monks for reading manuscripts and storing important religious scrolls, silk ceremonial clothes, family jewellery and yak butter used in lamps. They are rare to find today, especially in such large proportions as pegams were usually used whilst seated. Painted in the traditional way with stone and mineral paints.