Japanese Keyaki Cha Dansu - Meiji Era Origin - New Guinea Mahakala was a fearsome Tibetan

Mahakala was a fearsome Tibetan Buddhist deity identifiable by his three eyes and flaming eyebrows and beard

It comes from Andhra Pradesh state in the southeastern coastal area of India

5 cms high

near Glasgow)

this example retains its original black lacquer

Japanese Keyaki Cha Dansu - Meiji Era Origin - New Guinea Mahakala was a fearsome TibetanThis Japanese cha dansu tea chest dates from the Meiji Period (1868 1912) most likely the later part of it circa 1900. Tea chests were used for storing ceramics and other utensils used during the Japanese tea ceremonies. Tea tansu chests were made from fine wood and took pride of place in a Japanese home. The front, drawers, and frame are burr keyaki (burr red elm) and the top and sides are kiri wood (paulownia). The locks and warabite (bracken) style