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Lot Essay
Tripod stands are used in empowerment ceremonies. Numerous depictions in ritual context appear in the 17th century illustrated manuscript of the Secret Visions of the Fifth Dalai Lama, serving as a manual of ritual practice, now in the Fournier Collection, Paris; cf. S. Karmay, Secret Visions of the Fifth Dalai Lama, 1988, pls. 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10-21, 25-27, 31-32, 37, 42-43. Illustrated in minute detail, none of the stands however displays skull finials as in the present example, indicative of high tantric practice. The present example is likely of earlier date, and evidently among the largest of its type. It is important not only in its ritual significance, but also as an example of early Tibetan iron work with fine gold and silver overlay decoration. Chargers, as illustrated in the following lot 132, were often placed on such a stand to support offerings.
The inscribed cartouche at the lower right of the 13th century thangka depicting Kagyu Lama Densapa, lot 67, also illustrates stands of various sizes; compare also a smaller more elaborate example sold at Christie's New York, 17 September 1998, lot 93.
The inscribed cartouche at the lower right of the 13th century thangka depicting Kagyu Lama Densapa, lot 67, also illustrates stands of various sizes; compare also a smaller more elaborate example sold at Christie's New York, 17 September 1998, lot 93.