Hand-carved solid teak panels from Nepal, dating to the early 20th century, salvaged from a Lama’s residence.
A note on the term “Lama house”: in Tibetan Buddhism, not all Lamas are monks. The title Lama refers to a spiritual teacher or master, and there is a long tradition of householder Lamas who are married, raise families, and live in the community while holding a fully respected religious role. A householder Lama’s home would typically contain a dedicated shrine room and devotional objects, and the home itself was often built and decorated with the same care and sacred iconography as a place of worship. Carved panels like these served as both spiritual protection and a visible expression of devotion.
Each is a one-of-a-kind piece, representing Nepal’s centuries-old Newari woodcarving tradition. Woodcarving has been an integral part of Nepalese art and architecture for over a millennium, with artisans commissioned to create intricately carved wooden sculptures, doorways, and windows for temples, palaces, and homes.
The figures depicted draw from Nepal’s intertwined Hindu and Buddhist traditions, where deities from both faiths appear together on the same carved surface, as they have for centuries.
In a Lama’s home, carved panels like these would have held both devotional and protective significance. In places, the teak shows faint remnants of vermillion paste, traditionally applied during puja rituals as an offering to the deities depicted. These traces of use are not flaws: they are evidence of a life lived in devotion, and they cannot be replicated.
Pieces like these are increasingly difficult to find. We have two of these old teak panels.
One panel contains 13 figures, measuring 13-3/4” x 23”. The second contains 15 figures, measuring 13-1/8” x 27-5/8”. Both are heavy, solid teak throughout. The 13-figure panel has a slightly angled top.
From Nepal.
Photo credit: Aisha Luther
