Dramatic 17th C. Tibetan Bronze Votive - Human Skull

Central Asia, Tibet, ca. 17th to 18th century CE. A brilliant bronzework ideal for anyone fascinated with the macabre or memento mori. Cast via the lost wax (cire perdue) process, this piece presents the dramatic visage of a human skull comprised of grand eye orbitals with bulging pupils, a nasal orbital with openwork passages for the nostrils, and an ear-to-ear smile filled with teeth - quite an eerie toothy grin! Embellishing the deep green patina of the bronze are red and black pigments highlighting the eyes and mouth especially. Size: 3.375" W x 4.75" H (8.6 cm x 12.1 cm); 5.75" H (14.6 cm) on included custom stand.

Skulls are fascinating objects, often used for dramatic effect. In the Western world there is Hamlet's famous speech about mortality as he looks at Yorick's skull, as well as the skull on Sherlock Holmes' mantle indicating that he is a man of science, unconcerned with superstitions about death. In Tibetan Buddhism, the display and use of human skulls in rituals is designed to remind us of the constant presence of death and acquaint us with it so that we are not scared of its mysteries.

Provenance: ex-private San Francisco, California, USA collection

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#148847
Condition Report: Minor losses to peripheries and high-pointed areas. A few minute casting flaws to the skull. Expected surface wear commensurate with age, but nice traces of red and black pigmentation remain.