Lot 063 A RARE TIBETAN BUDDHIST CARVED YAK-BONE SKULL MALA 108 BEADS PLUS GURU BEAD CIRCA 17TH – 18TH CENTURY

Description

A RARE TIBETAN BUDDHIST CARVED YAK-BONE SKULL MALA
108 BEADS PLUS GURU BEAD
CIRCA 17TH – 18TH CENTURY
十七至十八世纪 藏传佛教牦牛骨圆雕骷髅念珠（108+1颗）
MEASUREMENTS & SPECIFICATIONS
• Material: Aged Yak Bone
• Bead Count: 108 Skull beads + 1 Guru bead (Mother bead)
• Carving Style: Three-dimensional round carving (Yuandiao)
• Length: Full strand for ritual recitation
• Date: 17th – 18th Century (Early Qing Dynasty or earlier)
ESTIMATE
USD 20,000 — 35,000
(HKD 156,000 — 273,000)
DESCRIPTION
This exceptionally rare and ancient Tibetan Buddhist prayer strand (Mala) is meticulously hand-carved from yak bone, with each of the 108 beads individually shaped into a skull (Citipati). The strand is presided over by a slightly larger “Guru” bead at the head, traditionally utilized by high-ranking practitioners for the counting of mantras during esoteric tantric rituals.
Spanning three to four centuries, this Mala has developed a profound, waxy patina through generations of devotional use. In Himalayan Buddhism, the skull motif serves as a meditative tool to contemplate the concept of impermanence (Anitya) and the victory over the ego. The masterful carving of each skull—with distinct eye sockets and dental details—represents a pinnacle of traditional Tibetan bone-carving artistry. This is not merely a ritual tool but a significant cultural artifact embodying the deep spiritual lineage of old Tibet.
描述
这串极为罕见的古老藏传佛教念珠由牦牛骨精雕而成，整串由 108颗 子珠及一颗尺寸稍大的**“佛头”**（母珠）组成。每一颗珠粒均采用圆雕工艺，被细致地刻画成人类骷髅形象，即藏传佛教中的“尸陀林主”或“白骨神”意象。
此念珠历经三至四个世纪的岁月沉淀，因长期的持咒观修与法力加持，骨质已呈现出如玉般的润泽包浆，色泽古穆。在藏传佛教修行中，骷髅纹饰具有深邃的法义，象征着对**“无常”**的体悟以及破除我执的智慧。每颗骷髅珠的眼窝、鼻腔及牙齿刻画均工整流畅，体现了西藏传统骨刻工艺的卓越水准。这件珍稀的法器不仅是宗教修持的见证，更是佛教文化遗产中极具物质价值与精神分量的实证。
EXPERT’S NOTE
Authentic 17th-century bone malas are increasingly rare in the market, particularly those with a complete set of 108 matching, hand-carved skulls. The “smooth-to-the-touch” texture and the deep honey-colored oxidation of the bone are hallmarks of genuine age and decades of ritual handling. Such pieces are highly sought after by collectors of Himalayan art and practitioners alike for their symbolic power and historical resonance.
真正具有17至18世纪历史的骨质念珠在市场上极其罕见，尤其是这种108颗完整且雕工统一的骷髅念珠。其温润如酥的触感与深褐色的自然氧化层，是数十年甚至上百年法事持用留下的真实印记。此类器物因其强大的象征意义与历史厚重感，历来受到喜马拉雅艺术收藏家与修行者的极力追捧。
PROVENANCE
• Private Collection, Montreal.
• Acquired from a private Hong Kong collector in the 1990s.
• 蒙特利尔私人珍藏；1990年代购于香港私人藏家。
CONDITION REPORT
• Condition: Excellent archaic condition. The yak bone displays a rich, natural “honey” patina. All 109 beads are original and intact, with minor age-appropriate softening of the carving edges. No modern repairs.
• 状况： 品相极佳。牦牛骨呈现出浓郁自然的“蜜色”包浆。109颗珠粒均为原配且保存完整，纹饰边缘见自然的岁月磨损。经检测无任何现代修复。