Silvered Tibetan Dragon Storage Chest - 18th Century Campaign Furniture One form of population policy

One form of population policy in Indonesia is the family planning program (KB)

The hints of black pitch (a tar like substance) was used to protect from a previous life adding an extra layer of depth and contrast making the carving stand out further

Mostly carved from a single piece of teakwood - these were used to store the red powder used for marking the forehead of Hindus known as a Tika mark or Bindi

or used to highlight decorative objects

Silvered Tibetan Dragon Storage Chest - 18th Century Campaign Furniture One form of population policyThis very decorative monastic chest is from Central Tibet and dates to the 18th century. Unusually this piece has a silver background instead of the more popular gold. Often silvered boxes are coated with a yellow varnish to imitate gold. Silvered boxes are very uncommon. The main feature is a single four claw dragon holding wish granting cintamani jewels which represent wisdom. The front facing dragon clearly emulates the Chinese Imperial dragons.