Description:

Central Asia, Tibet, late 19th to early 20th century CE. A five skull silver and gilded silver Oracle's crown adorned with round turquoise and coral cabochons. The metalwork is intricately tooled and chased. The silver repousse band is also adorned with five skulls amid leafy sprigs accented by turquoise and coral cabochons, surmounted by the five points of the diadem each consisting of a skull and gilded leaf-shaped scroll panel with additional coral cabochons atop as well as additional gilded leaf ornaments with cabochons between. The interior is fitted with textile-covered cushion of pink floral/foliage motifs on a golden ground. Tibetan oracles traditionally wore crowns like this example while performing trances. Oftentimes sculptures of bodhisattvas assuming their wrathful form are depicted donning similar five-skull headdresses. Each skull symbolizes one of the five Dhyani Buddhas ("wisdom" Buddhas) from the Vajrayana Buddhist pantheon. Size: 9.125" in diameter x 6.625" H (23.2 cm x 16.8 cm)

A similar example was featured in Sotheby's New York, "Indian & Southeast Asian Art", March 24, 2004, lot 127.

Provenance: Ex-Madrone collection

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#121083

  • Condition: Minor nicks and wear to a few cabochons, but all there. A bit of loss to red pigment adorning eye sockets of skulls. Crown is intact with expected tarnish commensurate with age.

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April 12, 2017 7:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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