Pegam with Lotus Motif
Pegam with Lotus Motif
18th Century, Sakya, Southwest Tibet
Painted on Wood
Mineral Pigments and Gold Gilt
The Pegam is a unique and distinctive type of Tibetan furniture. In Tibetan, the word peja or pecha means book, while gam means box. We rarely come across a pegam as they were mostly used by high ranking Lamas in their personal chambers.
The pegam is typically characterized as a small cabinet with a scalloped panel at the back and molded panels at the side. This arrangement was specially made as an honored space to hold and read upon. The Lamas would rest manuscripts on the top of the pegam; successively read pages were leaned against the vertical back panel.
Exquisitely bright colors were use to form the brilliant floral patterns on this pegam. A flaming gem nestled within burgeoning lotus flowers graces each of the front panels, while trails of jewels hang on the scalloped backing above. Rich gold gilt along the borders and trimmings add further beauty to the surface.
Dimensions
Width: 71 cm / 28 inches
Depth: 23 cm / 9 inches
Height to table top: 67.5 cm / 26.5 inches
Height to top: 86 cm / 34 inches