Prayer wheel – mani-khorlo

Tibet, 19th century

Repoussé copper, white metal, wood. A mani-khorlo or prayer wheel is decorated with a mantra in Tibetan Landza script in relief, attached to a wooden handle. The text of the Om mani padme hum (“Praise to the jewel in the lotus”), the most ubiquitous mantra in Tibetan Buddhism, is probably concealed inside.

H: 29 cm

O 1289

Gift of Vladimír Piskáček, 1999.

Buddhists spin the wheel clockwise, unlike Bonpos, who rotate the wheel anticlockwise.