ABR 047
Code: ABR 047
Country: Tibet
Style:
Date: 1500 - 1600
Dimensions in cm WxHxD: 4.2 x 14.5 x 3
Materials: Bone
Carved bone ornament with dakini Vajrayogini
This ornament was a part of a dancer's apron. It is carved from bone and depicts the dakini Vajrayogini. She stands in the dancing posture on a lotus base, naked and adorned only with the ornaments of the charnel grounds. With her right hand she wields the flaying knife, while holding the scull cup with her left hand in front of her chest. The tantric sceptre rests in the crook of her arm. Buddha Akshobhya is seated in a small niche above her. Below her stands a four-armed dakini. The scene is surrounded by scrolling plant tendrils.
One has to imagine dozens of similar elements connected by a net of beads and bone ornaments, which formed the apron. Bone, mostly human bone, is one of the preferred materials for the production of tantric ritual artefacts.
This ornament was a part of a dancer's apron. It is carved from bone and depicts the dakini Vajrayogini. She stands in the dancing posture on a lotus base, naked and adorned only with the ornaments of the charnel grounds. With her right hand she wields the flaying knife, while holding the scull cup with her left hand in front of her chest. The tantric sceptre rests in the crook of her arm. Buddha Akshobhya is seated in a small niche above her. Below her stands a four-armed dakini. The scene is surrounded by scrolling plant tendrils.
One has to imagine dozens of similar elements connected by a net of beads and bone ornaments, which formed the apron. Bone, mostly human bone, is one of the preferred materials for the production of tantric ritual artefacts.