Description:

Tibet, Buddhist ritual use, ca. 1775 CE. This dorje is made of gilded bronze and decorated with carved crowns and a human skull. The detail on the crowns is of what appears to be falcons or some other kind of birds of prey. This dorje is somewhat non-traditional, with the long staff in between the crowns. Dorje are ritual implements in Tibetan Buddhism, a masculine symbol which is used in conjunction with bells (a feminine symbol) to symbolize compassion and wisdom. Much of Tibetan iconography derives from the Buddhist belief in the transience of our corporeal forms, and this dorje emphasizes that theme in its decoration. Just as many traditional Tibetan Buddhist musical instruments were made of human bone to remind listeners of the proximity of physical death, the skull and birds of prey on this dorje are powerful reminders of the body's mortality. Traditional Tibetan funerary rituals include a "sky burial": because of the transmigration of the soul, there is no need to preserve the corpse, so it is placed outdoors where birds of prey may consume it. Skulls made into cups or other objects also had powerful ritual meaning in Tibetan society. This dorje continues that long tradition. Size: the dorje is 13" long and 1 3/4" in diameter around the widest part (the crowns). Provenance: Ex-Denenberg Fine Arts, Los Angeles, CA. All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. #110113

  • Condition: Near choice, beautiful patina.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

September 24, 2015 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 22% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000