187 - TIBET - 18th century

TIBET - 18th century A Buddhist officiant’s tiara consisting of three superimposed shells made of repoussé copper, adorned with six mandorlas featuring plant scrollwork, each housing one of the five Dhyani Buddhas—identifiable by their mudras—and presided over by Vajrasattva, who embodies their essence. It is crowned by a half-vajra. H. 45 cm Provenance: - Peter Vasquez Collection, London, 1980s - Spink & Son Ltd., London, September 19, 1990 - Ian Triay Collection Exhibitions: - Monasteries and Lamas of Tibet, “La Caixa” Foundation, Madrid, November 2000–January 2001 - The Circle of Bliss: Buddhist Meditative Art, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, October 5–October 31, 2003 This tiara is described by Susan Huntington as a rare Tibetan reinterpretation of the ceremonial tiaras worn by Newar vajracharya priests, featuring, as is customary, the five jinas, arranged according to the five directions, presided over by Vajrasattva, the Buddha embodying the essence of the vajra. This type of headdress was intended to be worn by a Newar Buddhist priest, known as a vajracharya (“master of the vajra”), during ritual practices or ceremonies that he presided over. Depictions of Sonam Gyalsten, abbot of Densatil (1417–144), wearing this type of tiara are known. References: - Prats R. et al., Monasterios y lamas del Tibet, Madrid, Fundación “La Caixa,” 2000, p. 118, no. 58. e - Huntington, J., and Bangdel, D., *The Circle of Bliss: Buddhist Meditative Art*, Serindia Publications, Chicago, and Columbus Museum of Art, Columbus, 2003, p. 228, no. 61 - Himalayan Art Resources, Item no. 205092