Year collected: [Missing] / Loans: S1975-1976 #97: Kenneth Versand (May 16, 1976–May 16, 1976) - Hearst Museum Portal Search Results

Start Over Year collected [Missing] Loans S1975-1976 #97: Kenneth Versand (May 16, 1976–May 16, 1976)

Hearst Museum object titled Bell, accession number 9-10827, described as Bell, ritual; bronze, brass; bell w/clapper; outer surface: near base is row of vajras, above this is row of circular pendants, then a row of 8 mystic syllables in lotus petals; handle-brass, w/head of Dharma surmounted by half-vajra; int.surface has mystic syllon e

Hearst Museum object titled Bone trumpet, accession number 9-10836, described as Trumpet,leg-bone(kang-dung);section of tibia,chased silver-colored metal mouthpiece & end brace,skin coverings,sewn at either end,turquoise & coral gems set into metal at one end;34 cm.L.;7.2 cm.w.

Hearst Museum object titled Butter lamp, accession number 9-10823, described as Butter lamp; silver, elaborately worked; many little knobs over entire surface; originally in 3 pieces; welded together; base has stylized lotus design; handle center has 3 crosses; for burning butter on altars

Hearst Museum object titled Dagger, accession number 9-10835, described as phur-ba, ritual dagger; bronze, cast; triangular blade emerges from mouth of boar-like beast, which is surmounted by vajra-like handle toppled by pommel of 3-headed figure, 2 heads of which are fanged, under a round knoblike end; used by monks to exercise demons, or ritual slaying of someone, e.g, an enemy of the doctrine

Hearst Museum object titled Dagger, accession number 9-5200, described as Bronze dagger; three keeled blade and demon head pommel; Tibetan name Phurbu.

Hearst Museum object titled Hand drum, accession number 9-5151, described as Hand drum (Damaru); hourglass-shaped; parts of two human calvaria joined together by wooden disk decorated by miniature skulls; green leather drum heads; diameter 5.25 inches; trailer of silk tassels, beads, etc.; length 29 inches

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.

Hearst Museum object titled Vajra, accession number 9-10834, described as vajra, ritual thunderbolt; bronze; each end has spike with 8 curved prongs, at base of which are heads of birds of prey; center handle has “bound lotus” motif; in Lamaism the vajra is used by monks in ceremonies; held in right hand; normally associated with the use of ritual bells; in Brahmanism symbolizes the sky-god Indra; in Buddhism symbolizes the Buddha

Hearst Museum object titled Vajra, accession number 9-10828, described as vajra, stylized ritual thunderbolt; bronze; each end has 5 “points”, 4 of which emerge from mouth of animal; extending from center ball are stylized lotus blossoms; used by monks in religious ceremonies; used concurrently with bell (see 9-10827); held in right hand between thumb and index, with other fingers extended outward; in Brahmanism the vajra symbolizes the thunderbolts of Indra, the Indian counterpart of Zeus and Jupiter; later the Nepalese Buddhists associated the vajra with Buddha.