Tibetan Ritual Case Made Of Leather And Embossed Silver

Tibetan Ritual Case in Leather and Embossed Silver

Period: Tibet, 17th Century

Dimensions: Height 17.5 cm

Materials: Handcrafted leather, embossed and chased silver foil

Description of the Work

An extraordinary ritual artifact of Tibetan origin, dating to the 17th century, designed as a precious portable case for travel or to be worn on a belt, intended for liturgical instruments and devotional objects.

The rigid accordion-style structure is made of dark, hand-shaped and hand-stitched leather, featuring refined carved panels on the back that attest to the technical expertise of traditional workshops in the Himalayan region.

The front plate, made of finely embossed and chiseled silver, is a superb example of Tibetan sacred metalwork and features a precise protective iconography:

• The Upper Register (The Face of Glory): The upper arch is dominated by the apotropaic mask of the Kirtimukha (Tsi-pa), stylized with a wide-open maw from which two serpent bodies (Naga) emerge and wind their way—traditional guardians of spiritual treasures and the threshold.
• The Central Figure (The Guardian of the Cemetery): At the center of the bell stands the dynamic and solemn figure of Citipati (Shing-skyong), the dancing skeleton that embodies earthly impermanence and victory over death in Tantric esotericism. The figure is depicted in a dance pose (ardhaparyanka), with one hand raised to hold the ritual scepter topped by a skull, and his body enveloped in a dense halo of spiraling clouds in the Sino-Tibetan style.
• The Base: The composition rests on a solid base decorated with a double row of stylized lotus petals, a symbol of spiritual purity and detachment from the phenomenal world.

Condition and Preservation

The artifact features an extraordinary authentic period patina, with natural signs of wear attesting to its intense history of worship and devotion. The silver reliefs retain chiseled details of remarkable clarity, while the leather exhibits the typical flexibility and textural quality of unrestored historical works.

A piece of considerable interest, ideal for high-profile collectors of Asian and Himalayan art.