Tibetan Furniture provides a clear introduction to daily life, beliefs, Tibetan symbols and worship, seen through the various aspects of traditional furnishings and decoration. Explains the Buddhist symbols and motifs, including macabre decorations, that are found on Tibetan furniture, and puts them in the context of Tantric Buddhist beliefs and the worship of wrathful Tibetan gods.

Of interest to collectors, designers, scholars, travelers to Tibet and and all who are fascinated by Tibetan art, culture, symbols, beliefs and religion. 240 pages and over 200 color illustrations, hard cover, large format 8.5x11inches, with bibliography and index. Published by Thames and Hudson (Europe and Asia) and Floating World Editions (USA).

View sample pages and excerpts from this book: Prayer Wheels / Tibetan Tiger Chest / Tibetan Offering Cabinet (torgam) / Synopsis of contents and topics

Buy this book online: Amazon USA (three customer reviews) / Amazon UK

Press Reviews of Tibetan Furniture

"Of the thousands of design books published each year, what makes one worth giving? For me the ideal is an obsessed author exploring underappreciated material, illuminating how spaces and objects are dreamed up and why they catch on.... And, especially at this time of year I crave imagery that transports the reader far from the madding crowd". "unsung classics and virtuosic craftsmanship" "decodes paintings and carvings" New York Times Year's Best Design Books, December 15, 2005

"a welcome addition to Tibetan Furniture studies, enabling readers to identify the main types, understand cultural and historical contexts, interpret the decor, and gain confidence to initiate judgements of chronology, aesthetics and authenticity." "Chris Buckley provides an introduction to the subject even for those readers with little or no acquaintance with Tibetan art ... one follows Buckley on his own inquiry into Tibetan art and culture, inspired by the themes of Tibetan furniture" "the section on prayer wheels is exemplary, and the chapter on furniture for the wrathful deities stands out" "deconstructs the painted imagery for which Tibetan furniture is uniquely distinguished by categorising the patterns, symbols, animals and deities" Arts of Asia magazine, July-August 2006

"a good guide to what to look for in good furniture" "illustrations of well-chosen pieces" "the chapter which deals with furniture decorated with painting of the various wrathful gods who were protectors against evil, is particularly useful in understanding decoration that would otherwise be viewed as violent and macabre by the uninitiated" "deals with questions of repair, repainting and reproduction [which have] serious implications for potential collectors who are searching for something genuine, original and old" "useful addition to the scarce literature on an intriguing subject" Orientations magazine, September 2006

"comprehensive and well laid-out" "a treasure-trove of information" "ample photographs make clear the beautiful coloring and intricate details of the furniture" "if you happen to own a piece, now you know exactly what you've purchased" City Weekend Magazine, October 27th 2005.