Two oracle apron ornaments, Tibet, 16th-17th century - Lot 215

Lot n° 215
Go to lot
Estimation :
2000 - 3000 EUR
Result with fees
Result : 3 956EUR
Two oracle apron ornaments, Tibet, 16th-17th century - Lot 215
Two oracle apron ornaments, Tibet, 16th-17th century - Tibetan oracle apron element in finely carved bone in light relief, depicting a ḍākinī Cakrasaṃvara, shown standing, legs spread and slightly bent, on an inverted double lotus base. The nude female figure, with accentuated breasts, has four arms: the upper right arm is raised and holds a ritual drum ḍamaru, the lower right arm lowered brandishes a curved sacrificial knife of the kartṛikā type, while the left arms carry complementary attributes, with the khaṭvāṅga, a long ritual staff leaning sideways, and the kapāla, a skull cup held in front of the torso ; the divinity is adorned with a rich set of ornaments including circular earrings, necklaces, bracelets, armbands, belt and beaded garlands falling in festoons on the hips and between the legs ; the face, with its regular features and half-closed gaze, is topped by a high headdress or elaborate diadem, enriched with cranial and beaded elements; the figure is set in a narrow vertical plate framed by an openwork decoration of foliate scrolls and foliage, culminating in flamboyant motifs at the top and continuing in symmetrical scrolls at the bottom. L.: 15 cm; - The other depicting a dancing female deity identified as a ḍākinī (tib. Khandroma) Vajrayogini. The central figure is depicted in a dynamic ritual dance posture, her body slightly arched and adorned with jewelry and an elaborate headdress, holding a curved sacrificial kartṛikā knife on the right and a ritual attribute akin to a stylized khatvanga on the left, a symbol of tantric power with a kapāla, a skull cup held in front of the torso, in her hand. The deity appears to dominate a reclining figure beneath his feet, interpreted as a demon or vanquished spirit. In the upper register appear three seated figures meditating in architectural niches, most likely Buddhas or Bodhisattvas, with Śākyamuni Buddha in the center, surrounded by figures associated with wisdom and compassion such as Avalokiteśvara (Chenrezig) and Mañjuśrī. The top of the composition is occupied by a flying celestial figure identifiable as a Vidyādhara, a mythical being holding spiritual powers and carrying offerings or celestial garlands, frequent in Himalayan Buddhist iconography. Finally, in the lower part, several small seated figures in an attitude of adoration. Length: 14 cm Reference: For an item similar to the first, see Bonhams sale, Himalayan & Southeast Asian Art, March 24, 2016, n°718.
My orders
Sale information
Sales conditions
Return to catalogue