Collection place: South Asia / Donor: Estate of Theos C. Bernard / Materials: Metal - Hearst Museum Portal Search Results

Start Over Collection place South Asia Donor Estate of Theos C. Bernard Materials Metal

Hearst Museum object titled Ghanta bell, accession number 9-21879, described as Ghanta bell, part of a matched set with vajra cataloged as 9-21880. This is an inexpensive modern (late 20th century) ghanta. The casting is mediocre, the details poor, and the sound quality inferior to the older, finer ghantas in the collection: see 9-21920; 9-21923; 9-21924; 9-21903. The handle is machine threaded to screw into the bell. This is a modern technique not used on older (pre-20th century) ghantas nor on modern, high quality ghantas. This is likely part of the collection that was obtained in the 1980's or 1990's in California rather than in 1930's Tibet.

Hearst Museum object titled Mandala offering set, accession number 9-21855a-e, described as Mandala set (a-e) used in the ritual offering of the world mandala. The world mandala has 37 features. The person performing this popular Buddhist ritual will recite the names of these 37 features of the ideal universe as he builds up the mandala using rice and/or precious stones, bits of gold, silver, coral, etc. The base is held in the left hand, the largest ring is placed on top and filled with rice, etc. This is repeated with the middle ring and then with the small ring. Finally the top ornament is placed at the summit of the now conical shaped offering. The condition and style of this set, and the plastic wrapping of the top ornament, make it appear as if it was recently produced in Nepal, or perhaps India and purchased in a local California import shop rather than brought from Tibet over 50 years ago. Certain items in the collection, such as this and the vajra & ghanta set (T-23 & T-96, most likely were collected by Eleanore Murray in California in the late 20th century. Printed material indicates that she was involved with Tibetan Buddhist meditation groups in California in the 1980's and 1990's where such things are readily available. The mandala is 9 1/2 inches high when fully assembled (with rice, etc.).