BY.T-96 (previous number) and T-96 (original number)
Accession number:
Acc.4737
Description:
Vajra, part of a matched set with ghanta bell cataloged as 9-21879. This appears to be a modern, mass produced vajra such as comes from the factories of Nepal in the late 20th century. It lacks the fine work of the old vajras (9-21918 and 9-21919). Together with its mate, ghanta bell T-23, this was probably obtained in a California import shop in the 1980's or 1990's.
Donor:
Estate of G. Eleanore Murray, Estate of Theos C. Bernard, and Theos C. Bernard
Collection place:
Nepal
Verbatim coll. place:
Nepal
Collector:
Theos C. Bernard
Materials:
Bronze (metal)
Object type:
ethnography
Function:
5.0 Use not specified (Ritual, Pageantry, and Recreation)
Production date:
20th century
Accession date:
March 12, 2004
Context of use:
A vajra, (rdo-rje) is a ritual device used in Tantric meditation to destroy all obstacles to enlightenment. Its counterpart is the ghanta bell. The vajra, held in the right hand of the meditator or the deity, is identified with compassion, skillful means for helping others and for attaining enlightenment, the diamond, the thunderbolt of Indra, and the male sex. The ghanta bell is identified with wisdom and the female. Vajras in the collection: 9-21917, 9-21918, 9-21919, 9-21880, 9-21915.
Department:
Asia (except western Russia)
Dimensions:
width 12.065 centimeters, length 3.175 centimeters, and height 3.175 centimeters