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TWO MALAS WITH SKULLS
Himalayan Art Resources item nos.61702 & 61703
White: 88 cm (34 1/2 in.) long;
Stained: 47 cm (18 1/2 in.) long
HK$20,000 - 30,000
佛珠兩串
Both comprised of 108 beads. The first with amber beads carved into
skulls, and a worn wood purbha fastening. The second with stained
bone discs, amber stopper bead, counter with silver beads and vajra,
and modified with a large stone skull pendant. Malas with skulls or made
of human skulls, typically of high lamas, can be reserved for practices
involving Yama Dhamaraja (Dorsey, “Prayer Beads in Asian Buddhist
Cultures”, in Arts of Asia, July-August 2004, vol.34, no.4, p.55).
94 | BONHAMS
