A GILT AND SILVERED COPPER ALLOY MINIATURE VAJRA AND A PAIR OF GILT SILVER MINIATURE DANDA


TIBET, 16TH-18TH CENTURYHimalayan Art Resources item nos.61687&61688 Vajra: 5 cm (2 in.) long;Danda: 14.5 cm (5 3/4 in.) long
|西藏 十六至十八世紀　銅鎏金鎏銀金剛杵與銀鎏金法杖一對The skull club (kapala-danda) symbolizes an end to karmic predispositions. It is the derivative of the khatvanga, the skull topped staff, and is a Buddhist weapon believed to terrify all demons with its ability to subjugate vicious spirits. This pair may have initially been part of a sculpture depicting the Chitipati, a pair of male and female skeletal protector deities who each hold the weapon. The accompanying vajra was likely created to be worn as an ornament.Provenance Yeshe, London, 2015