Cabinet for Ritual Utensils

18th century

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 253

This cabinet was designed to house utensils for ritual activity, likely in a chapel where invocations were performed for the protective deities. It is crowned with a frieze of skulls and framed by dancing skeletons. The iron crossbars reinforcing the doors are embellished with heads in various stages of decomposition.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

Title: Cabinet for Ritual Utensils
Date: 18th century
Culture: Tibet
Medium: Lacquer and gilding on wood, iron
Dimensions: H. 28 1/16 in. (71.3 cm); W. 18 1/2 in. (47 cm)
Classification: Furniture
Credit Line: Gift of Florence and Herbert Irving, 2015
Object Number: 2015.500.4.21
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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