Group of 17 Tibetan bone apron ornaments, 16th-19th century
Unknown artist, Tibet or Nepalexpand_more
Bone (likely buffalo)expand_more
Gift of Kiran Kapoor in loving memory of my father, Vineet Kapoor, and my grandmother, Urmil Kapoorexpand_more 2023.108.1-17
Not on Viewexpand_more
This assortment of bone ornaments would have served as plaques within an elaborate Ritual Apron (Rugya), with the diamond-shaped plaques--delicately carved with auspicious symbols, and abstracted floral motifs—which would have joined together a network of double-stranded beads, held by a belt, with the oblong-plaques, carved with kirttimukha (face of glory) motifs, suspended at the bottom. They would have been part of an elaborate ‘dancing’ ensemble of bone ornaments, including crowns, armlets, anklets, and neck ornaments worn by elite practitioners of Vajrayana (or Tantric) Buddhism in Tibet at important ceremonies, to ward of evil spirits while serving as a reminder of the transience of life.
Details
- Title
- Group of 17 Tibetan bone apron ornaments
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 2023.108.1-17
- Curator Approved
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