Silver with gilding

Tibet , 19th century

Dimensions: Height 22 cm Wide 17cm Depth 16 cm

Weight: 838grams

The skull cup is a ritual implement used in Buddhist as well as Hindu Tantra. Hindu deities are often depicted holding a kapala and a kartika, a crescent-shaped knife. This kapala has a triangular foot with beaded rim and ornamental sprays in relief. Three triangle-shaped petals extend from the base and support the egg-shaped lower bottom which has a smooth surface and a line of skulls and beads at the rim. The lid consists of a smaller egg-shaped dome with a flat lip decorated with incised floral sprays. The domed body is decorated with a key fret design at the bottom, floral ornaments surrounding the Eight Auspicious Symbols of Buddhism. A five-pronged vajra half stemming from a small lotus flower in the center of the lid forms the handle or knob. The object can be separated in three parts.