EMBLÈME DE CHITIPATI EN ALLIAGE DE CUIVRE REPOUSSÉ ET DORÉ MONGOLIE, XIXE SIÈCLEEMBLÈME DE CHITIPATI EN ALLIAGE DE CUIVRE REPOUSSÉ ET DORÉMONGOLIE, XIXE SIÈCLE Himalayan Art Resources item no. 205017 51 cm (20 1/8 in.) highA GILT COPPER ALLOY REPOUSSÉ CHITIPATI EMBLEM MONGOLIA, 19TH CENTURY 蒙古 十九世紀 銅鎏金錘揲屍陀林主法器This striking object which depicts flames spewing forth from the barred fangs of a skull face with a stylized trishula crowning the top, makes up part of a ceremonial staff. Another similar staff depicts the skeleton headed finial connected to the shaft (see Yixi, Quintessence of Returning Tibetan Cultural Relics from Oversea (Sculpture), 2012, pp. 128-9). Weapons such as these were depicted as implements held by wrathful protectors. The skeleton face would have served as a reminder of the inevitability of death, and the finial trident, as a means of destroying the three poisons of passion, aggression and ignorance.Provenance:Estate of M. Koeren (acquired in Asia during travels between 1950-63)Acquire from Luc Cammoot, Brussels, 2003