This old Tibetan prayer table would have been used as a writing desk and is called a pegam in Tibet. It has a scalloped back & side panels. Pegams were used by monks for reading manuscripts and they are rare to find today. Painted using traditional techniques with stone and mineral pigments. 

The central figure of Hvashang can be seen surrounded by children with mala beads around his neck. Hvashang was a Chinese monk and a patron of the arhats. He is depicted as a rotund and joyful man surrounded by fruit and a basket filled with jewels. It's been theorised that Hvashang could be Budai, a partially historical Chinese monk who is considered to be the 'Laughing Buddha' or 'Fat Buddha' Maitreya Buddha. Hvashang guides devotees in their search for enlightenment. 

On the main body, a combination of The Eight Auspicious Symbols can be seen; The Wheel of Dharma, Parasol, Endless Knot, Two Golden Fish. These are symbols that infer good fortune. 

Pegams (as with antique Tibetan furniture in general) are becoming increasingly rare. Our expert team has sensitively restored this piece, cleaning the residue whilst retaining its age and patina.

Dimensions:

71 x 30 x 89 (wxdxh cms)

Further Reading:

For similar examples see Auspicious by Design: A Collection of Antique Tibetan Painted Furniture by C Corona - Plate 47 and Wooden Wonders: Tibetan Furniture in Secular and Religious Life by Kamansky (plate 106).

For further information on Tibetan symbolism, see Tibetan Buddhist Symbols by R Beer. 

From Tibet

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