Home Altar

Currently not on view

Home Altar

Late 19th - early 20th century

Artist/maker unknown, Tibetan

This altar arrived at the Museum covered by a thick layer of soot and disassembled into seventy-six pieces. To better preserve and understand the altar, a pioneering scientific study is currently underway. The results of the ongoing conservation treatment are discussed online here.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

Home Altar
Altar, For daily worship in the home of a wealthy man

Date:

Late 19th - early 20th century

Artist:

Artist/maker unknown, Tibetan

Medium:

Wood with polychrome decoration; leather fittings

Dimensions:

6 feet 10 inches × 10 feet 2 inches × 12 1/2 inches (208.3 × 309.9 × 31.8 cm) Base: 34 inches × 10 feet 2 inches × 12 1/2 inches (86.4 × 309.9 × 31.8 cm) Top: 48 inches × 9 feet 7 1/2 inches × 9 inches (121.9 × 293.4 × 22.9 cm)

Classification:

Furniture/Furnishings

Credit Line:

Purchased with the Stella Kramrisch Fund, 2004

Accession Number:

2004-7-1a1--1e1i

Geography:

Made in Tibet, Asia Possibly made in Kham Province, Tibet, Asia

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Please note that this particular artwork might not be on view when you visit. Don’t worry—we have plenty of exhibitions for you to explore.

Currently not on view