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A Nepalese/Tibetan gilt bronze Kapala (skullcup), 19th century,…
Sale Title:
Auction House:
Auction Location:
Melbourne
Date:
6-Nov-2016
Lot No.
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Description:
A Nepalese/Tibetan gilt bronze Kapala (skullcup), 19th century, heavily cast, with five syllables on the cup, representing the five nectars being consumed or visualized by tantric practitioners. The base of the cup with five Sanskrit syllables in Rañjan script, also known as Lantsha. The syllables are, reading clockwise from the top, with the narrow end of the skullcup pointed upwards, HU, TRI VR, JI, *The five syllables on the skullcup represent the five nectars (Tibetan: bdud rtzi, lnga, Sanskrit: pañ cmta) that are to be consumed or visualized by tantric practitioners. They are given differently in different traditions. The style of writing does not always follow standard shapes, i.e. the VR could be read, Ñ and the TRI may be meant to read KHA. This suggests Tibetan rather than Nepalese workmanship, 17.6 cm high
Estimate:
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Price:
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Category:
Oriental: Bronze