Bidspirit auction | A TIBETAN SILVER KAPALA RITUAL

A TIBETAN SILVER KAPALA RITUAL VESSEL, 19TH-EARLY 20TH CENTURY - A Tibetan or Himalayan silver ritual vessel of kapala form, raised on a triangular pedestal elaborately decorated in repoussé, chased and pierced work with stylized flames, scrolling motifs and bands of lotus petals. The sides applied with four finely modeled human heads. The vessel is suspended by chains from a domed silver cover engraved with scrolling foliage and flowerheads and surmounted by an openwork vajra-form finial. The elaborate iconography and construction are characteristic of Himalayan Buddhist ritual metalwork, the kapala traditionally forming part of Tantric Buddhist ceremonial practice. The interior bears two apparently later-added Russian-type punches, including a rectangular mark resembling the Cyrillic initials ”МН” and an ”84” silver-standard mark. These marks should be regarded as spurious. Dimensions: H: 7 1/2 in., (19.1 cm.) Condition: Good. Dings and miss shaped edges. Patina. Please make all inquiries before bidding. All statements contained in the catalog, condition reports, invoices, advertisements, or elsewhere concerning the authorship, attribution, origin, date, age, period, culture, source, provenance, authenticity, genuineness, condition, rarity, importance, or value of any lot are statements of opinion only and shall not be construed as representations, warranties, or statements of fact. All lots are sold ”as-is”, refer to our T&C. Helios Auctions does not offer in-house shipping. We will provide a list of recommended shippers upon request. Please make all inquiries before bidding. All statements contained in the catalog, condition reports, invoices, advertisements, or elsewhere concerning the authorship, attribution, origin, date, age, period, culture, source, provenance, authenticity, genuineness, condition, rarity, importance, or value of any lot are statements of opinion only and shall not be construed as representations, warranties, or statements of fact. All lots are sold ”as-is”, refer to our T&C. Helios Auctions does not offer in-house shipping. We will provide a list of recommended shippers upon request.