Description: Bone, metal and turquoise
Tibet, 19th century
The ritual skull is framed by a metal rim and bears metal lining at the interior. At the inside center is an inset turquoise stone. Believed to house mana, turquoise is highly prized in Tibet. The semiprecious stone is often used to enhance Tibetan Buddhist images and rituals. As seen at the center of this kapala, the spider-web matrix formed by inclusions in Tibetan turquoise is unequaled by turquoise from any other part of the world.
Shape: Skull cap
Dimensions: 18,5 cm (length) 14,5 cm (width) 7,5 cm (height)
Weight: 372 grams
Condition: Very good condition with age-related signs of wear and small nicks. Impressive patina
Provenance: Austrian private collection
Literature comparison: Himalayan Art Resources online archive shows a near identical turquoise inset Kapala under item no. 41066.
Auction result comparison: Bonham’s, INDIAN, HIMALAYAN & SOUTHEAST ASIAN ART
17 Sep 2014, NEW YORK, lot 75 (for a near identical, silver lined, Kapala)
19世紀金屬邊框內嵌綠松石嘎巴拉碗
頭蓋骨,金屬邊框,內嵌綠松石
西藏,19世紀
品相極好
奧地利私人收藏