Unlike other types of furniture, the Tibetan variety comes in limited forms. The earliest is the gaam, or chest, dating to the 14th century. It was used to store ritual items. One popular form, the dzong, has sloping sides that refer to Potala Palace, the seat of the Dalai Lama.

The popular chhagam, or cabinet (late 18th century and after), is usually rectangular and narrow, and comes in a wide range of sizes. It was made to store manuscripts, religious objects and even food. Other styles include the pegam, a small cabinet for storing manuscripts, and the thorgam, a cupboard for ritual implements and offerings featuring the Mahakala protector demon. The yangam good-luck cupboard held precious and religious items, while the chogtse table or platform served a variety of ritual and household uses.

'If you study Tibetan symbols, you'll recognise the classic symbols used on authentic pieces,' Dundon says. 'The pieces with more religious symbols came from the capital.'

Some of the most important symbols include the lotus, parasol, wheel, pair of goldfish, victory banner, endless knot, treasure vase and conch shell. Other common symbols include animal forms, such as the deer, white elephant, snow lion and dragon. 'If the symbols look more Chinese, it's more than likely that they are fakes.'

Reproductions abound, Dundon says. 'At furniture markets in China, you see rows of semi-finished Tibetan reproductions. They're sold to warehouses, where a clear varnish is applied. They even chisel the sides as they would have in Tibet. It's amazing.'

TIPS FOR NEW COLLECTORS:

Sourcing is the main problem. The natural dyes of the past are less vibrant than the synthetic dyes used today. 'But the Chinese are the masters of faking, so it can be hard to tell if it's an original,' Dundon says.

Where and how the paint was applied is more telling. 'In monasteries, furniture was stacked side by side, so the sides were rarely painted. Usually, the top is plain and the front is decorative.'

Many pieces have been heavily restored. 'You might find an old piece that's been painted over because it was found in bad condition. I recommend people restore as little as possible. Tibetan furniture has been through rough times, so it should reflect that. If it's pristine, it's probably a bad sign.'

Also, let your nose guide you, she says. 'You can smell yak butter on an original piece of Tibetan furniture. They don't try to imitate that smell on reproductions.' The smell is like a mixture of chocolate and burning wood. Treat Tibetan furniture like a painting, Dundon says. 'It creates a nice contrast to just have one piece. More than two pieces per room would be overkill.' She advises cleaning the piece carefully with a slightly damp cloth, and finishing with a protective layer of clear wax every few months.

'Expect to pay about $12,000 and up for very good trunks, about $6,000 to $26,000 for cabinets, and $2,000 up for small boxes and religious objects.'

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