Materials: Turquoise (mineral) / Function: 5.0 Use not specified (Ritual, Pageantry, and Recreation) - Hearst Museum Portal Search Results

Start Over Materials Turquoise (mineral) Function 5.0 Use not specified (Ritual, Pageantry, and Recreation)

Hearst Museum object titled Fire mandala and tripod, accession number 9-22053, described as This is the lower portion of a Kapala (skull cup) ritual set. The triangular portion is the fire mandala (the sphere of the fire element) upon which is the tripod formed from three freshly severed human heads. Upon this tripod would be placed a matching skull cup, formed either from an actual human skull or from a bronze or silver facsimile. This tripod is of the size appropriate to an actual human skull cup. There are several in this collection (see T-46). Upon the skull cup could be placed a fitted lid with a vajra handle (see T-69).

Hearst Museum object titled Ghanta, accession number 9-21923, described as This is a beautiful old ghanta bell with a handle of gilded bronze, and turquoise and coral insets. The bell is made of a five metal alloy to produce a rich, full sound. There are only three vajra points at the top, as two are missing.The striker shows the unique pattern of wear associated with generations of constant use.The ghanta bell is used in most Tantric rituals. It is held in the left hand and the matched vajra is held in the right. The matching vajra to this ghanta is not present in the collection. It would match upper part of the ghanta handle. The ghanta embodies the feminine principle in Tantric usage, and the vajra is the masculine. The ghanta holds the principle of ultimate wisdom and the vajra, the principle of ultimate compassion and skillful means.Ghanta bells in this collection are numbers: T-23; T-63; T-66; T-67; & T-85

Hearst Museum object titled Headdress, accession number 9-21796, described as Headdress or tiara made to be placed on the head of a large bronze image of a Buddha or Bodhisattva. It has five lobes which represent the five Buddhas.

Hearst Museum object titled Headdress, accession number 9-21797, described as Headdress or tiara made to be placed on the head of a large bronze image of a Buddha or Bodhisattva. The five lobes which represent the five Buddhas.