Description:

Tibet, southwestern China, ca 19th century CE. A fascinating religious item made by Tibetan Buddhist monks using the skulls of other Tibetan monks. A human head - normally one that has died of natural causes - is soaked in water to soften the bone and remove all the fleshy components, then decorative sliver elements added. In the case of this very fine example, dozens of small nickel/silver skull appliques were attached as well as a nose, eyes, eye brows, ears and teeth. Twin dragons were added to the upper sides of the cranium, and a central decorative element with small red stone or glass at the very top. The skull was cut and hinged to reveal a silver bowl used to offer wine or small cakes to the spirits. A fine example! 6-1/2"H x 7-1/2"L.PROVENANCE: Ex-Naiman Collection, Boulder, CO acquired at Sothebys in the 1980s. The starting price is the lowest price at which this item can sell

  • Condition: Missing a few decorative skulls, lower jaw missing (possibly deliberately made without the lower jaw) and one lower peg replaced, yet still a fine example!

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June 13, 2013 9:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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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