This Kapala (Sanskrit "skull") is made from a human skull (recognizable by the skull seams) and was used as a ritual drinking vessel. A friend brought it from Ladakh many years ago (Many Tibetans emigrated there under pressure from China; today Ladakh belongs to India). The country lies between the Himalayas and the Karakoram and is characterized by its Tibetan Buddhist culture. The bowl is ornate Set in precious metal, decorated with embossed ornaments, including 44 skulls and two small turquoises. Out of respect for the ceremonial significance, I deliberately made a simple base and commissioned the Kirchner art foundry in Ascholding (founded by the sculptor Prof. Heinrich Kirchner and in the family for three generations) to cast the bronze. I was able to watch the casting and the final work by Nicola Kirchner (sandblasting, applying the patina, brushing and waxing), see another picture of this Kapala ("Search: Kapala"). [hint: this is an automatic translation from German]   |   Category: Kultgegenstände   |   Material: Metall   |   Country of origin: Ladakh, India   |   Artist: K. L. | Similar pieces