A COPPER ALLOY VAJRA AND GHANTA


TIBET, CIRCA 16TH CENTURYTogether with the ghanta's leather case.Himalayan Art Resources item no.61685 Ghanta: 18 cm (7 in.) high;Vajra 12 cm (4 3/4 in.) long
|西藏 約十六世紀 銅金剛鈴杵一套 Representing the fundamental qualities Buddhism asks of its followers, wisdom and compassion, vajra and ghanta ritual implements are central to Tibetan Buddhist practice. Prolonged use of this pair has rubbed raised details smooth. The ghanta is cast in two parts: a bell of silvery metal decorated with rings of vajras and lotus petals with sacred syllables; and a handle with a crowned Bodhisattva-head surmounted by a vajra finial. The accompanying five-pronged vajra is modeled in matching style, comprised of prongs issuing from makara heads, either side of a grip with rounded center and heavily worn lotus petals.Provenance Collection of Joseph Gelpy, 1970s