Chest; Tibet, XVI-XVII centuries.

Chest; Tibet, XVI-XVII centuries.
Embossed, gilded and polychrome leather.
It presents losses in the back.
Measurements: 31 x 26 x 14,5 cm.
Tibetan chest, dated between the XVI and XVII centuries, example of the monastic craftsmanship of the Himalayan plateau, where the local artistic traditions converge with Nepalese and Chinese influences within the vast cultural field of Lamaist Buddhism. Made of embossed, gilded and polychrome leather, the object manifests the technical expertise and aesthetic refinement typical of Tibetan workshops dedicated to the production of liturgical furnishings and ritual containers. Its prismatic structure, reinforced by wrought iron fittings on the edges and decorated with finely embossed floral and geometric motifs, denotes a meticulous attention to both functionality and ornamentation.
The treatment of the leather, worked by pressure and subsequent application of gilding and mineral pigments, generates a surface rich in nuances, where the play of light highlights the complexity of the design. The front metal clasp, robust but decoratively integrated, reinforces the sensation of solidity and custody, essential qualities in chests intended to contain objects of worship, manuscripts or relics. The quality of the workmanship, visible in the precision of the embossing and the subtle chromatic harmony between the reddish, golden and ochre tones, reveals a work of high craftsmanship, probably linked to a monastic or courtly workshop.