Not currently on display at the V&A

Frontlet

18th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Frontlet of plaques and beads carved from human bone (Mi.rus.pa'i rgyan). One brass bell-shaped pendant with clapper of red baize and silk hangs from the bottom.
The frontlet hangs down the front and the back. In front, there is a central elongated hexagonal plaque carved with the Gri.gug Dakini dancing on a prostrate body, with a Garuda above and a flying gandharva below all amid floriate ornament. Around this are 17 smaller plaques of various shapes carved with apsarases, gandharvas, Tamind-heads and certain of the Eight Glorious Emblems. The hexagonal plaque for the back is also figured with Dakini and floriate ornament. All the plaques are connected together with double strings of round beads.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Brief description
Costume, human bone, carved; Tibet, C18
Physical description
Frontlet of plaques and beads carved from human bone (Mi.rus.pa'i rgyan). One brass bell-shaped pendant with clapper of red baize and silk hangs from the bottom.
The frontlet hangs down the front and the back. In front, there is a central elongated hexagonal plaque carved with the Gri.gug Dakini dancing on a prostrate body, with a Garuda above and a flying gandharva below all amid floriate ornament. Around this are 17 smaller plaques of various shapes carved with apsarases, gandharvas, Tamind-heads and certain of the Eight Glorious Emblems. The hexagonal plaque for the back is also figured with Dakini and floriate ornament. All the plaques are connected together with double strings of round beads.
Dimensions
  • Length: 29in
  • Width: 23in
Credit line
Given by O. Marriage, Esq., 11 Pond Street, Hampstead, N.W
Object history
Given by O. Marriage, Esq. Register entry 3 January 1922.
Production
For Lamaist use. Worn by the Sorcerers of the Black Hat (Nag.pa) Sect in exorcising demons.
Other number
RP 1922/38 - RF number
Collection
Accession number
IM.1-1922

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Record createdJune 25, 2009
Record URL
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