A pair of Buddhist gilt-bronze sanctuary door fittings

Description:

Tibet, ca. 19th c.
D. 35 cm
The ring handles terminate at either end in stylised makara heads and are attached to the mouth of a central lion mask, flanked by two dancing skeletons (Citipati) brandishing curved knives. Above the lion's head, a flaming jewel emerges from a lotus blossom. Finely modelled in relief and richly embellished with auspicious Buddhist symbolism.
From a South German private collection - Minor traces of age, partially traces of red colour and corrosion