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a) Libation Bowl 18th century silver, ht. 18.7 cm ROM 969.181.1
b) Libation Bowl (Chinese)
18th century
porcelain, inderglaze blue, ht. 13.5 cm From the collection of Rev. James M.
Menzies, lent by his daughter, Marion Menzies Hummel and her son, James Menzies Hummel
The silver chalice illustrated here, similar in shape to a butter lamp, would have been used to present offerings to protective deities or used as drinking vessels by high lamas in ceremonies. This silver chalice may have been made in Derge and shows the tremendous skill of Tibet�s metalworkers.
The Chinese porcelain-stem bowl illustrated here was probably made for the Tibetan market or for a Lama temple in China. In addition to the decorations of eight Lhantsa characters, lotus motifs and jewelled festoons, the base of this piece has an inscription in Chinese dating itto the reign of Manchu emperor Qianlong (1736-95). The Manchu emperors were great supporters of Lamaism, and had many Tibetan Lama temples copied at their summer resort, Jehol.
69 Vase of Life
a) 19th century
copper, brass, gilt, inlay of paste, ht. 28.5 cm Private Collection
b) 19th century
silver base, inlay of turquoise and coral ht. 15 cm
Gift of Dr. & Mrs. Morton Shulman ROM 975.64.5
Vases, like these, were used in ceremonies to invoke Amitayus, the Buddha of Infinite Life, who is believed to have entered the vase. Vase (a) stands on a raised saucer with lotus petal decoration. The rim of the vase has a floral design. Inserted into the small opening at the top is a flame-shaped finial with a decoration of the wish-granting jewel in repousse on one side and the wheel of the law incised on the other. The body of the vase has relief decorations of monster masks holding festoons. There are four decorative metal ribbons connecting the top rim to the body of the vase.
The second vase of the same shape, which is missing its finial, has more inlay but different decoration than the first.
70 Holy Water Vessel
19th century
copper, inlay of blue paste, ht. 13 cm Gift of Humphrey Toms
AGGV 80.65.1
In Tibetan Buddhism, water plays an important role in ceremonies. It may be used as an offering to a deity or may be used for consumption during a con�secration ceremony. This vessel is in the form of a fierce head with a wide-open mouth. It is probably meant to represent a defender of the faith.
71 Pair of Hanging Censers 19th century brass, gilt, ht. 51 cm ROM 914.44.3.9
This type of incense burner, hanging from suspen�sion chains, was carried by dancers or musicians during sacred rituals and processions. The main body of the censers have repeated decorations of monster masks (called chimindra) connected by jewelled festoons hanging from their mouths. The horned lion-like mask has human arms which hold a spray of vegetation to the mouth. This motif bears some resemblance to the early Chinese taotie monster masks.
72 Skull Cup
19th century
skull with silver mount, I. 17 cm ROM 978.214.2
Skull cups filled with holy water or wine (symbolic of ambrosia) were used for making offerings to the fierce deities. It is also frequently depicted in thankas and statuary as an attribute carried by Padmasamb- hava and various Tantric deities. The skull cups carried by the terrifying protectors contain the blood of enemies.
73 Human Bone Aprons (channavira)
late 19th/early 20th century
a) UBCAM
b) Gift of Mrs. Leslie Laing and Mr. H. S. Peters
NBM 976.37.70
c) Gift of Vivian and David M. Campbell
NBM 985.7.2.5
d) Fragments of a channavira Asian Art Purchase Fund AGGV
Aprons made of carved human bone were worn by Tibetan lamas usually during rituals for exorcising demons. The elaborately carved plaques have designs of deities, various Buddhist symbols, monster masks, bells, flowers, etc., and are usually joined together in a diamond shape by round beads, also usually made of human bone.
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