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Lot 49
A LARGE FIVE-PRONGED VAJRA
Estimated Value:
1.000 € - 1.500 €
Result:
1.424 € incl. Premium and VAT
Description:
Tibet, ca. 17th c.L. 26,2 cm
Such diamond sceptres are positioned on the altar as ritual ceremonial objects. They can also be placed on a pedestal in the form of a mandala. This large-sized vajra has a flattened sphere in its centre piece, set in two pearl rings. Six lotus leaves, cur led at the tips, unfold outwards from this. This is followed at the top and bottom by the flat base for the vajra spokes, which protrude from it and are connected at their ends and in the centre to the central axis. On this base, on the inner sides of the spokes, there are four macara heads (sea monsters) with open mouths and trunks. On their lower jaws - the outer sides of the spokes - four figures each are modelled, representing terrifying demonesses. These are worldly "earth mothers" - Mamos - who are closely associated with fertility, disease, life and death. The Mamos were banished, or at least partially tamed, by Padmasambhava, the great eighth-century guru. They are notorious for wreaking havoc, as well as causing plague and war." Mamos live in pits of corpses and in the "hot" and "cold" hells where they plague the damned beings. They are depicted as ugly demonesses, black with emaciated breasts, matted hair, and armed with sacks of disease, and other mischievous imple ments. The continuous axle of this vajra, usually made of iron, is crowned at its ends with a wishing jewel. Bronze, partly fire gilt. Weight: 1,668 kg.
Old Lübeck private collection, collected before 1980 by repute
Cf. Mamos, s.: Nebesky-Woijkowitz, Oracles and Demons of Tibet - The Cult and Iconography of the Tibetan Protective Deiti es; Graz, 1975; pp. 269f - Minor wear
