{"product_id":"painted-zeeba-prayer-table-from-central-tibet-18th-century","title":"Painted Zeeba Table from Central Tibet - 18th Century","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis rare \u003cstrong\u003epainted side table\u003c\/strong\u003e from \u003cstrong\u003eCentral Tibet\u003c\/strong\u003e is called a \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003ethrichok.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e \u003c\/em\u003eThese tables were made for a lama (spiritual leader in Tibetan Buddhism) and would have supported ritual objects, scriptures, butter lamps, or devotional offerings. This particular table dates to the \u003cstrong\u003e18th century\u003c\/strong\u003e and features a striking depiction of \u003cstrong\u003eZeeba\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003eoften called\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eKirtimukha \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e(meaning the face of majesty) (also named \/ Ziba \/ Zipak). He is a monstrous creature whose symbol is frequently found across China, Tibet \u0026amp; India. Also known as the 'Monster of Greed' (\u003cem\u003eT'ao t'ieh in Chinese\u003c\/em\u003e), \u003cem\u003e'Creature Without a Name'\u003c\/em\u003e or\u003cem\u003e 'Face of Glory'.\u003c\/em\u003e The story of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eSkhanda Purana states\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e that the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eKirtimukha\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e was a demon born from the blaze of Shiva's third eye to hunt Rahu. When his prey, Rahu repented and was forgiven for his sins, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eZeeba \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003ewas ravenous and devoured its own body leaving just the head and hands remaining. Shiva henceforth requested he remain as a guardian to his doors for all eternity. He has been present in Asian art since 500 AD.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePainted in rich red pigment with black scrolling cloud motifs, the front panel is centred by Zeeba’s expressive face, shown issuing stylised flames from the mouth. This particular depiction of Zeeba has similarities with the Rajasthani depictions of Surya, the Hindu sun god. The vivid painted decoration reflects the close relationship between Tibetan furniture and religious art, where even functional objects were imbued with symbolic meaning and protective imagery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdding to its importance, the table comes from the collection of \u003cstrong\u003eMr Nicholas Squire (1949–2024), Suffolk\u003c\/strong\u003e, and was purchased from \u003cstrong\u003eSpink \u0026amp; Son Ltd.\u003c\/strong\u003e, accompanied by a copy of an invoice dated \u003cstrong\u003e8 January 1993\u003c\/strong\u003e. It is also published in \u003cem\u003eTibetan Art at Spink\u003c\/em\u003e (1992), catalogue number 51.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Central Tibet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 18th Century\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterials:\u003c\/strong\u003e Painted wood\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Altar table \/ prayer table\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDecoration:\u003c\/strong\u003e Zeeba deity issuing flames from the mouth, with scrolling cloud motifs\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Wear, surface rubbing and patination consistent with age and use\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 6.1 kg\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e W57 x D32 x H46 cm\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReferences: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eFor a similar Zeeba \u003cem\u003ethrichok \u003c\/em\u003etable, see \u003cem\u003eTibetan Furniture: Identifying · Appreciating · Collecting\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e by Chris Buckley, figure 158.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublished:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eTibetan Art at Spink\u003c\/em\u003e (1992), Catalogue No. 51\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ePurchased on the UK art market, 2026, from the Collection of Mr Nicholas Squire (1949–2024), Suffolk. Nicholas Squire originally purchased this piece from Spink \u0026amp; Son Ltd, 8 January 1993.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BinderKing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53551577989429,"sku":"M1125","price":2273.31,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1012\/5243\/2181\/files\/Antique_Painted_Choksar_Prayer_Table_from_Tibet_M1125.jpg?v=1789233784","url":"https:\/\/binderking.shop\/products\/painted-zeeba-prayer-table-from-central-tibet-18th-century","provider":"BinderKing","version":"1.0","type":"link"}