Ritual horn
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ABR 070

 Code: ABR 070

  Country: Tibet

  Style:

  Date: 1500 - 1800

  Dimensions in cm WxHxD: 3.2 x 14.5

  Materials: Horn of unidentified animal, decorated

Decorated horn of an unidentified animal.

This Tibetan magical horn was formerly employed during rituals of subjugation and exorcism.
This implement is usually made from a hollow animal horn, often of a yak or a bull. It was filled with various substances and sealed. The ancient horn worn by handling is decorated at the point with maker. The symbols include in addition to a horned Garuda, four snakes, and one frog, etc., the "collection of eight auspicious objects" (atsamangala) comprising cakra, chattra, dhvaja, kalasa, matsyayugma, sankha, and srivatsa. These are interpreted in many different ways in Hindu, Jaina and Buddhist traditions.

Essen, Gerd-Wolfgang and Thingo, Tsering Tashi, 1990. Die Götter des Himalaya - Buddhistische Kunst Tibets. München: Prestel-Verlag. Compare