No. 99318935

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Tibetan-style Kapala Ritual Set – Bronze – Nepal - Bronze - Nepal - Late 20th century
Final bid
€ 100
4 days ago

Tibetan-style Kapala Ritual Set – Bronze – Nepal - Bronze - Nepal - Late 20th century

Tibet / Nepal – 20th century – Two Vajrayana ritual objects: Kapala Bowl Lid & Flame Crown – Bronze/Brass, Turquoise inlays Ritual kapala bowl lid and ceremonial stand in Tibetan Vajrayana style. Handmade in bronze in Nepal during the second half of the 20th century (circa 1950–1990), following traditional Himalayan Buddhist craftsmanship. Characteristic ritual features include: • Cast in bronze (traditional alloy, likely with brass elements) • Flame-shaped motif ornamentation • Multiple deity heads • Turquoise-effect stone inlays Although inspired by 17th–18th century Tibetan–Nepalese ritual art, these are modern ceremonial items, not antique originals. They were most likely made for ritual or monastic use rather than for tourism. Condition: Good, with minor age-related wear consistent with ceremonial handling. Material: Bronze (possibly bronze-brass alloy) Origin: Nepal Period: Approx. 1950–1990 Style: Tibetan Buddhist / Vajrayana ritual accessory Both pieces are made of bronze/brass with detailed repoussé work, flame motifs, multiple deity heads and turquoise-coloured inlays. Such objects were used in tantric rituals and monastic ceremonies. ⸻ 1. Kapala Bowl Lid with Four-Headed Bodhisattva and Vajra Finial A beautifully executed ritual lid for a Kapala bowl (skull bowl), richly decorated in traditional Tibetan style. The top features a Vajra (Dorje) finial – the central symbol of Vajrayana – set above a four-faced Bodhisattva head, representing wisdom and omnipresence. The sides show intricate multi-armed tantric deities framed by fire and cloud motifs, along with numerous inset turquoise stones. The interior is finished in a warm brass/gilt tone, typical for higher-quality ritual objects. Dimensions: 18 × 14 × 17 cm Weight: 1664 g Material: Bronze/Brass with turquoise inlays ⸻ 2. Flame Crown / Dakini Crown / Torma Shrine Top A square ritual crown used as a decorative top for torma offerings, small shrine figures or protective deity displays. Each of the four sides shows a Bodhisattva or Dakini head, surrounded by elaborate flame and spiral motifs. The crown is adorned with rows of turquoise-coloured inlays. The triangular base is typical for ritual crown tops used in tantric ceremonies. Dimensions: 18 × 17 × 11 cm Weight: 775 g Material: Bronze/Brass with turquoise inlays ⸻ Origin & Date • Tibet / Nepal • 20th century • Vajrayana Buddhist ritual art ⸻ Condition • Good, authentic condition • Attractive patina • Age-related wear • No visible restorations • Very detailed metalwork ⸻ A rare and decorative pair of Vajrayana ritual objects, ideal for collectors of Tibetan art, tantric ritual items or Buddhist shrine furnishings.

No. 99318935

Sold
Tibetan-style Kapala Ritual Set – Bronze – Nepal - Bronze - Nepal - Late 20th century

Tibetan-style Kapala Ritual Set – Bronze – Nepal - Bronze - Nepal - Late 20th century

Tibet / Nepal – 20th century – Two Vajrayana ritual objects: Kapala Bowl Lid & Flame Crown – Bronze/Brass, Turquoise inlays

Ritual kapala bowl lid and ceremonial stand in Tibetan Vajrayana style.
Handmade in bronze in Nepal during the second half of the 20th century (circa 1950–1990), following traditional Himalayan Buddhist craftsmanship.

Characteristic ritual features include:
• Cast in bronze (traditional alloy, likely with brass elements)
• Flame-shaped motif ornamentation
• Multiple deity heads
• Turquoise-effect stone inlays

Although inspired by 17th–18th century Tibetan–Nepalese ritual art, these are modern ceremonial items, not antique originals. They were most likely made for ritual or monastic use rather than for tourism.

Condition: Good, with minor age-related wear consistent with ceremonial handling.
Material: Bronze (possibly bronze-brass alloy)
Origin: Nepal
Period: Approx. 1950–1990
Style: Tibetan Buddhist / Vajrayana ritual accessory

Both pieces are made of bronze/brass with detailed repoussé work, flame motifs, multiple deity heads and turquoise-coloured inlays. Such objects were used in tantric rituals and monastic ceremonies.



1. Kapala Bowl Lid with Four-Headed Bodhisattva and Vajra Finial

A beautifully executed ritual lid for a Kapala bowl (skull bowl), richly decorated in traditional Tibetan style.
The top features a Vajra (Dorje) finial – the central symbol of Vajrayana – set above a four-faced Bodhisattva head, representing wisdom and omnipresence.

The sides show intricate multi-armed tantric deities framed by fire and cloud motifs, along with numerous inset turquoise stones. The interior is finished in a warm brass/gilt tone, typical for higher-quality ritual objects.

Dimensions: 18 × 14 × 17 cm
Weight: 1664 g
Material: Bronze/Brass with turquoise inlays



2. Flame Crown / Dakini Crown / Torma Shrine Top

A square ritual crown used as a decorative top for torma offerings, small shrine figures or protective deity displays. Each of the four sides shows a Bodhisattva or Dakini head, surrounded by elaborate flame and spiral motifs.

The crown is adorned with rows of turquoise-coloured inlays. The triangular base is typical for ritual crown tops used in tantric ceremonies.

Dimensions: 18 × 17 × 11 cm
Weight: 775 g
Material: Bronze/Brass with turquoise inlays



Origin & Date
• Tibet / Nepal
• 20th century
• Vajrayana Buddhist ritual art



Condition
• Good, authentic condition
• Attractive patina
• Age-related wear
• No visible restorations
• Very detailed metalwork



A rare and decorative pair of Vajrayana ritual objects, ideal for collectors of Tibetan art, tantric ritual items or Buddhist shrine furnishings.

Final bid
€ 100
Amy Wassing
Expert
Estimate  € 150 - € 180

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