Page 8 - Asian Decorative Art Bonhams Dec 20 16
P. 8
9007 9010
A SET OF OBJECTS FOR THE BARDO RITUAL A TIBETAN HELMET
Tibet, 19th century or earlier Qing dynasty
Including a lidded copper vessel of compressed ovoid shape; a The protruding cylindrical plume holder surmounting the domed skull
handled and spouted ewer of similar patina; a tripartite folding silver formed by several overlapping plates sewn together by leather straps
metal stand; a small metal plate of similar silver patina centered suspending several rows of numerous thin ovoid plates similarly
by the lantsa symbol ‘om’; a small thin silver-colored metal libation stitched together to form a neck guard and ear flaps.
cup adorned in shou medallions; a folding silver-colored metal ladle 14 1/2in (37cm) approximate height inclusive of ear flaps
secured by a clasp with turquoise cabochon; a pair of small ‘tingsha’
finger cymbals; a small circular copper-colored mirror; and a partial US$1,500 - 2,500
mala of 107 clear glass beads [9].
10 1/2in (26.5cm) width of first and largest PROPERTY FROM A NORTH AMERICAN ESTATE
US$1,000 - 1,500 9011
A METAL ALLOY POWDER HORN
In Tibetan Buddhism, the deceased enter bardo, an intermediary Tibet or Nepal, 19th century
state wherein they negotiate the grade of their rebirth. Until its The copper colored body of crescent shape and encircled by silvered
completion, the body stays with the family who employ a qualified metal raised relief Eight Auspicious Emblem motif bands at the base,
monk to sustain the deceased using a set of ritual implements such midpoint and tip terminating in fitted lid and suspended by loop
as those in the present lot. handles and a length of chain.
18in (45.6cm) length tip to tip
Provenance
Private New York Collection, acquired in Europe before 1983 US$1,500 - 2,500
9008 PROPERTY FROM VARIOUS OWNERS
A SET OF IRON OBJECTS FOR A PURIFICATION RITUAL
Tibet, 19th century or earlier 9012
Including a set of pliers, a bow, a spear, an ax, a pick, a hook, a TWO SWORDS WITH SCABBARDS
chopper, and two arrows, most terminating at one or both ends in Tibet and Mongolia
a vajra-style finial, all fitting neatly in a triangular lidded case also The Tibetan steel sword blade with a single edge and short rounded
surmounted by a vajra-style finial (oxidation to some surfaces) [10]. tip, the hilt with coral bead mount and remains of gilding on the
8 x 9 1/8 x 3 1/8in (20.4 x 23.1 x 8cm) the case engraved iron pommel, ferrule and guard, white metal wire wrapped
around the grip, the velvet-covered wood scabbard framed with a
US$1,000 - 1,500 single U-form strip of iron similarly engraved with traces of gilding and
a chased white metal boss at the tip (wear, losses); The Mongolian
In a discussion of a similar container in the Essen Collection, a dough steel sword blade of diamond section with a double edge, the silver
effigy representing the ego of the practitioner is placed within the grip chased and embossed with dragon motifs and set with coral and
‘dungeon triangle’ case during the ritual and is destroyed by the turquoise cabochons that repeat across walls of the silver-covered
various accompanying implements. See Essen & Thingo, Die Gotter wood scabbard with two suspension rings attached to facing
des Himalaya, Munich, 1989, no.536. monster head mounts (wear, minor losses to colored inlay).
34 and 32in (86.5 and 81cm) long
Provenance
Private New York Collection, acquired in Europe before 1983 US$1,000 - 1,500
9009
A PARTIAL BONE MALA WITH SKULLS
Tibet
Each of the 101 beads carved as skulls, 100 of the beads threaded
onto a string with both ends knotted together after passing through a
single skull bead and compressed globular bone button.
34 1/2in (87.5cm) long
US$1,500 - 2,000
Provenance
Private New York Collection, acquired in Europe before 1983
6 | BONHAMS
