Antique Portable Study/Prayer Table, Tibet (7020HOL) $595

Description

Monks traveling from village to village use colorful folding wooden study/prayer table called Chogtse. They fold, carry and use them to travel and display sutras, scrolls, books and other study materials to teach villagers Tibetan (aka Vajrayana, Esoteric, Tantric) Buddhism ethics, principles and history. Made for easy portability and storage dowel, the wood bamboo shaped legs fold inside the top and sides and permit monks legs to be underneath in padmasana the lotus position) with reading materials above. This one is beautifully painted with green and red florals on vines covering the bamboo shaped leg supports are in two layers of colorful squares. A symbolic Tibetan offerings bowl of fruit symbolizing the beauty and flowering of enlightenment and the opening of one’s heart is centered on front between horizontal decorative red registers. The bowl is one of the eight auspicious offerings on all Tibetan Buddhist altars as are flowers/fruit. All are enlightenment symbols to pacify, purify, rejoice in virtue, drive out evil/ darkness, see clearly, create merit for all sentient beings and foster compassion and dedication. The table is in very good condition with definite wear, a crack across the top, chips and paint losses indicating its age and use, especially on its rear where bodies would frequently have rubbed against it. This piece i is featured as a VA Instagram.