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Central Asia, Tibet, ca. 19th century CE. A beautiful Tibetan Buddhist scepter known as a dorje or vajra, hand-carved from quartz crystal and heavily adorned with brass nodules and insets of greenstone, coral, turquoise, lapis, and other semi-precious stones. The elaborate example presents a traditional shape of 2 openwork, cage-like spheres each comprised of a central rib and 4 prongs. An indispensable liturgical instrument used during Tibetan Buddhist ritual recitation, the dorje symbolizes the indestructibility of a diamond and the irresistible force of a thunderbolt. The prongs recall the thunderbolt scepter of Indra, a Hindu warrior god who governs rain, clouds, and lightning. The Tibetan scepter refers to the immovable, steadfast (“diamond-hard”) consciousness of Buddha. Size: 5.8″ L x 1.8″ Diameter (14.7 cm x 4.6 cm)
Condition: Expected age wear with some small chips, nicks, and abrasions as shown, but otherwise intact and excellent with rich patina and encrustations in areas.
Provenance: private Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA collection
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