Painted Panel of a Protector

The rich red, gold, yellow, and blue have hardly faded in the 150 years since this panel was painted in a color palette emblematic in Tibetan art. This wooden panel was likely once part of a larger artwork or piece of furniture. Elaborately painted panels were rare except in religious settings or in the homes of the wealthiest Tibetans. This lovely panel shows a whimsical Shizi, or “little lion,” grinning from ear to ear.