An impressive silver-mounted ceremonial Skull Bowl (kapala mandala) - Tibet or Nepal, 19th Century

in three sections, the skull with silver nose, teeth, bulging silver eyes set with turquoises, the forehead with a silver lotus swag, the cranium carved with sanscript, the silver bowl at the base of the skull with repoussé decoration consisting of a conch shell, dragons, scrolls and lotus palmette, the bowl with vajra finial, the silver triangular base with flaming sides, at each corner a protruding skull, the foot with further repoussé decoration  approx. 23 cm. high including stand(3) - Estimate: £1,000 - 1,500

Note: For another inner offering kapala mandala sharing similar characteristics, see, Huntington and Bangdel, Exhibition Catalogue, The Circle of Bliss, Columbus Museum of Art, 6th February - 9th May 2004

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Bonhams. The Jacques Desenfans Collection, 10 Apr 2008. New Bond Street