Kapala on a pedestal

Tibet, 19th century

Set on a hammered copper pedestal, this decorative ceremonial bowl (cranium) is decorated with skulls in relief, three jewels, and a double-lotus throne. The cranium features metal mounts and a hinged lid with the relief motif of double vajra (dorje) surmounted by a brass vajra spike and masks of menacing gods. The decoration engraved into the bone depicts the eight auspicious symbols of Buddhism, with a double vajra (dorje) and Chinese plum blossoms (mej-chua) on the inside base.

H: 23 cm, W: 17.3 cm

O 1282

Gift of Vladimír Piskáček, 1999.

Bowls made of skulls were used in rituals and were often decoratively carved or inlaid with silver and/or semiprecious stones.