Tibetan Antiques

Please note: Prior to 1950, Tibetan furniture rarely was painted on the top.  After the Communist takeover, however, little unused wood was available, so the monks began painting the tops of their creations.  With materials scarce, they worked with what was left.  The pieces we offer which were made between 1958 & 1972 usually are painted on the tops.

The Upper Sange Monastery began a massive rebuilding project in 2004 & emptied out most of the residential compounds & demolished them. The monks' private altars & shrines were sold as there was nowhere to store them, & new residences were designed with built-in shrines & Tibetan Buddhist altars. At this time, Baronet purchased the pieces we currently have in inventory. The Lower Sange Monastery demolished their Assembly Hall & main temple in 1988 & started rebuilding. We have several items preserved from these destroyed buildings.

The Sange-certified items currently on this web site (& some no longer available here) are now being reproduced & marketed as original items on other web sites as vintage pieces from Nepal.  "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." Please be careful when purchasing from the web, as many sellers are not aware that their suppliers are offering knock-offs.

Today's market is flooded with so-called "antique" Tibetan furniture which is, in fact, mass-produced in China & Malaysia.  Consequently, we've asked the monks to authenticate the dates & place of creation & the artist, when known, of these pieces, thus providing the buyer with evidence of the item's provenance. Historical records indicate that furniture was typically not present in Tibetan households & what furniture did exist, was at monasteries.

Prayer Wheels	Tangkas & Mandalas
Tibetan Buddhist prayer wheels, hand- painted by the monks of the Sange monasteries. Mantras in gold kyungbur on the barrels, "OM MANI PADME HUM." Avalokiteshvara's 6-syllable mantra, "Jewel in the heart of the Lotus." New, vintage and antique wheels are available.	Tangkas and mandalas painted by monks & artists of the Golden Valley (Ser Shong). Get to know your artist; all tangkas and mandalas are not created equal.
Altar Tables	Lama's Storage cabinets
Tibetan Buddhist altar tables, hand-painted by monks at the Sange monasteries. Traditional Tibetan Buddhist symbolism in brilliant colors, complete with historical details & iconographies. We also have a small selection of Han-style altar tables with plenty of Rebgong influence. Altars date from the early 16th century to the mid- 20th century.	Beautiful dual purpose: altar or storage. Hand-painted Tibetan furniture made for use in the Labrangs (Lamas' residences). Each has an interesting story & meaning.
Choyon Trunks	Chösum Stands
Tibetan Buddhist chests made of aromatic cedar & elm, known as choyon trunks; such trunks are part of a tradition going back to Godan Khan & the year 1244. Hand-painted by the some of the best artists at the Sange monasteries.	19th century Tibetan yak butter lamp stands; also known as Chösum stands. Tibetan Buddhist iconography hand-painted on the front and both sides. Used to house the toma made from the tsampa during the year as an offering.
Ritual Items	Temple Art
Tibetan Buddhist Ritual items, toma sticks, Dorjes and other items used by high lamas and others conducting Tibetan Buddhist ceremonies.	Tibetan Buddhist Temple Art : wall hangings from the old temple and Assembly hall of the lower Sange monastery that were demolished in 1988.