Accession number: Acc.2734 / Loans: S1975-1976 #97: Kenneth Versand (May 16, 1976–May 16, 1976) - Hearst Museum Portal Search Results

Start Over Accession number Acc.2734 Loans S1975-1976 #97: Kenneth Versand (May 16, 1976–May 16, 1976)

Hearst Museum object titled Reliquary, accession number 9-10895, described as reliquary; triangular shape with bell-shaped base; triangle (flame) has representation of human skull in silver-colored metal at each of 3 edges; copper representation of flayed human on base; at top is silver-colored metal skull with half a vajra (dorje) above and copper flames at sides of skull; shaft and base gilded bronze; religious symbol incised on copper base; said to have dedication still in base; ritual object; paper inside reliquary probably has a Mantra written upon it. The reliquary is a positive symbol even though it symbolizes death. The round center form is the world surrounded by flames. The skull above is the death king, Yama, Lord of Death. The human below may be either a skin or a figure that has been flattened (by the world). A Tibetan devotee who understood the symbolism behind this reliquary would see death signs as evidence of nirvana. Thus man lies crushed beneath the weight of the world surrounded by flames. The death skull above symbolizes release from the tortured existence of humans, thus the whole reliquary would symbolize nirvana.