Page 40 - Bonhams Indian and Himalayan Art March 2016 New York

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AN INLAID AND DAMASCENED RITUAL IMPLEMENT
(RIN-CH’EN BRDA-RU)
Tibet, circa 14th century
The iron blade (or board) inlaid with gold, silver, and copper, gripped
by a damascene makara head and a faceted handle with vajra terminal.
19 1/2 in. (49.5 cm) long
$40,000 - 60,000

西藏 約十四世紀 法器一件

His curling snout, extended lower jaw and large fang accentuate the
powerful bite of the gold makara. The gold, silver, and copper deposits
are inlaid in such a way that the iron blade appears to swell in order to
accommodate them. By contrast the silver and gold scrolls of the end
section and ridges are finely incised giving a faint feathery effect.
This type inlay is associated with the eastern Tibetan town of Derge.

Rinchen daru (lit. ‘rubbing file’), also known as p’yema, are used in
special ceremonies for blessing and consecrating sacred images.
A file or rasp is drawn across the central blade to produce shavings
of the five holy metals gold, silver, copper, tin, and iron.

For a complete file set see Bigler, Art and Faith at the Crossroads,
2013, no. 52. Also see, Christie’s, New York, 30 March 2006, lot 156,
and Neven, Lamaistic Art, Brussels, 1975, p. 57, no. 157. Compare
with other related implements of the period in the Musée Guimet
(Bazin, The Secret Visions of the 5th Dalai Lama, 2002, nos. 105-110).
Also see Thurman & Weldon, Sacred Symbols, New York, 1999, pp.
126-45, nos. 57-66.

Referenced
HAR - himalayanart.org/items/61445

Provenance
Private Collection, US

38 | BONHAMS