Tsaku-tsaya wooden bowl with gilt iron case, made in Tibet, Qing dynasty (1644-1911)

Tsaku-tsaya wooden bowl with gilt iron case, made in Tibet, Qing dynasty (1644-1911)

• Image Number: K1D000729N000000000PAE
• Dynasty: Qing dynasty
• Category: Miscellaneous objects
• Function: drinking vessel
• Material: Plants/Wood/
• Description:
  Wooden bowls are generally made of birch, azalea roots or miscellaneous wood roots. The most valuable material is parasitic plants, especially a kind of tumor parasitic on the root of Artemisia annua (called “zan” in Tibetan). Since the reign of Emperor Kangxi, the Tibetan area has often paid tribute to the wooden bowl to celebrate the New Year in early spring every year. It is often used in the court to drink milk tea, which is called the “milk bowl”. This practice was still followed during the reign of Emperor Yongzheng. According to the records in the “Huo Ji File”, Karun Beizi Kang Jinai went to the Zabu Zaya wooden bowl; The Dalai Lama has five wooden bowls of the size of Jinzhakuli. This wooden bowl is made of delicate and light materials, with distinct filiform texture contrast. It is made of precious materials and is packaged in an iron plated turquoise hollowed out round box. It is a treasure of the court for Tibetan nobles.