A Nyingma Bronze Vajra and Ghanta Set

TIBET, CIRCA 15TH CENTURY

Details

A Nyingma Bronze Vajra and Ghanta Set
Tibet, circa 15th Century
The bell of silvery gray metal cast with beaded festoons encircling the shoulder, molded on the interior with Tibetan symbols 'Ohm a hum' in relief, the handle separately cast and gilt with a crowned head surmounted by lotus petals with makaras issuing the nine-pronged handle, the vajra correspondingly constructed with nine prongs issuing from makara heads, the central knop flanked by lotus friezes
The ghanta: 8¾ in. (22.2 cm.) high; the vajra: 7 in. (17.8 cm.) long

Lot Essay

With the vajra (thunderbolt) representing the male aspect of skillful means and the ghanta (bell) representing the female aspect of wisdom and supreme knowledge, the nine prongs in both are symbolic to Nyingma practioners relating to the nine vehicles in attaining enlightenment.

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