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TIBETAN TANTRIC HUMAN BONE ORNAMENT (Necromancers Bone Apron) (item No: Apron 01)
(Tibetan: rus rgyan)
Origin: Tibet
Age: 250 -200 years
Length of longest carving: 140mm (5.5 inches) approx
Width of longest carving: 34mm (1.35 inches) approx
Carving with birds: 39mm (1.6 inches) square approx
Price: £1275 (including postage worldwide)
An extremely rare, museum quality, hand carved, human bone chest decoration from a set of human bone tantric ornaments. The set would have originally included a bone crown, earrings, armbands, apron and other itmes which have been lost or seperated over time.
Items like this come onto the market extremly infrequently. This one is believed to date from between 1790 and 1820 and was obtained from an antiques dealer in Manchester in the UK who bought it from a family with connections to Clive of India. It is original, used and authentic.
Ornaments like this are worn in ceremonies by high ranking tantric lamas, ritual dancers and some shamans.
The set is in good condition and is quite soundly strung, although during it's more recent life one of the strings on the right hand side as you look at it has broken and been re-strung incorrectly with a number of beads left out of the stringing (compaire the two lower strings in the second photo above - the lefthand side as you look at it is correct). The plastic bag in the photo contains the missing beads and it would be easy to restore this with new thread. Nicholas is willing to do this free of charge if required.
All the beads are bone except for three small ones which are either quartz/rock crystal or clear glass, and one that I can not identify but might be stained ivory, another form of bone or fine grained light coloured wood. These four beads are all on the end of the strings containing the bird beads, two on each side.
Although single carved bones from broken sets come on to the market from time to time - generally reaching prices between £500 and £1000 each - it is very rare indeed to find a complete set in such good usable condition.
The set is suitable for use by tantric practioners and Ngakpas etc., or could be displayed.
SHAMAN'S HUMAN ARM BONE TRUMPET (item No: kangling 01)
(Nepalese: Nalihar - Tibetan: rKang-gling or Kangling)
Origin: Nepal
Age: 200 -100 years
Length: 200mm (8 inches) approx
Price: £120 (including postage worldwide)
A ritual trumpet made from a human armbone. In Tibet tantric Buddhist uses kangling made from thighbones and not from arm bones. In Nepal shamans use kanglings generally made from armbones or tiger bones, and not normally human thighbones.
Often shaman's Nalihar or rKang-gling are used to call to helper spirits or drive out unhelpful spirits. In Buddhism they are also used to dissolve the complex visualisations employed in many tantric Buddhist rituals.
This is a simple, very old unadorned bone kangling, although the knuckle ned has been shaped slightly.
Despite its age it is in good condition, the bone being strong and sound.
A very rare old proper bone Nalihar suitable for use in your shamanic practice, but not so well suited to Buddhist practice.
For more information about rKang-gling read the article about Tibetan tantric objects on the articles page of this website.
SHAMAN'S HUMAN ARM BONE TRUMPET (item No: kangling 02)
(Nepalese: Nalihar - Tibetan: rKang-gling or Kangling)
Origin: Nepal
Age: 200 -80 years
Length: 206mm (8.2 inches) approx
Price: £120 (including postage worldwide)
A ritual trumpet made from a human armbone. In Tibet tantric Buddhist uses kangling made from thighbones and not from arm bones. In Nepal shamans use kanglings generally made from armbones or tiger bones, and not normally human thighbones.
Often shaman's Nalihar or rKang-gling are used to call to helper spirits or drive out unhelpful spirits. In Buddhism they are also used to dissolve the complex visualisations employed in many tantric Buddhist rituals.
This is a simple, very old unadorned bone kangling.
Despite its age it is in good condition, the bone being strong and sound.
A very rare old proper bone Nalihar suitable for use in your shamanic practice, but not so well suited to Buddhist practice.
For more information about rKang-gling read the article about Tibetan tantric objects on the articles page of this website.
HUMAN THIGH BONE TRUMPET (item No: kangling 03)
(Tibetan: rKang-gling or Kangling)
Age: 200 -100 years
Length: 291mm (11.5 inches) approx
Price: £180 (including postage worldwide) - SOLD
A ritual trumpet made from a human thighbone. rKang-gling are used together with chod drums, by Buddhist lamas and tantric practitioners called 'chodpa' during the chod ceremony. Chos is a ceremony which is held in a cremation ground or sky burial site, and in which spirts are invited to come and to eat the practitioner's flesh. The aim of the ceremony is to help in the cutting of attachment to the physical body and human existence.
Nepalese shamans also use rKang-gling, generally made from human arm bones and sometimes from tiger bones.
In Tibetan traditions, rKang-gling are used to drive out unhelpful spirits or to dissolve the complex visualisations employed in many tantric Buddhist rituals.
This is a simple, very old unadorned bone kangling with no skin covering the knuckle end like they often do have. There are traces of yellow pigment where the skin would normally be.
Judging from its size this kangling was probably made from the left leg of a 16 years old girl. Kanglings like this are considered to be the most powerful.
Despite its age it is in good condition, the bone being strong and sound. It could do with the mouth end having more wax put in to make a better mouthpiece. I could also have a new piece of skin put over the knuckle end (see photo below). Nicholas would be willing to do these two jobs at no cost if it is required.
A rare old proper bone kangling suitable for use in your practice.
For more information about rKang-gling read the article about Tibetan tantric objects on the articles page of this website.
CONCH SHELL TRUMPET (item No: kangling 04)
(Tibetan: rag gshog-ma - Sanskrit: sankha)
Origin: Tibet. Nepal or Northern India
Age: 200 -100 years
Length: 188mm (7.4 inches) approx
Price: £105 (including postage worldwide)
A ritual trumpet made from a conch shell. Conch shells represent emptyness, the space from which all form is given birth from - as such they are female and held in the left hand. They are used as signel horns, and also to start meditation or to call to positive spirits. In Tibetan Buddhism they are one of the eight auspicious signs, and a small one is often placed on an altar to make an offering of music to the Buddhas and other spirits.
They are a ritual instrument found in Tibetan Buddhism, Nepalses shamanism, Jainism and Hinduism, always as a peaceful (in opposed to wrathful) context and generally played in pairs so that one player can take a rest while the other plays to produce a long note.
This is a simple, very old sankha with a stylised flower carved into it.
It is in good condition with nice patination and a good loud sound. It could be cleaned if so desired to bring back more of its whiteness.
BUMPA - RITUAL TIBETAN WATER POT (Item No. bumpa 01)
Origin: Mongolia
Age: late 150 - 50 years approx
Height: 180mm (7.1 inches) approx
Price: £135 each (including postage worldwide)
Beautiful embossed ritual waterpot complete with brocade skirt and dipper. Bumpa are used to hold spring water which once in the bumpa turns to sacred liquid for ritual use. They are used by Buddhist lamas, and also by Shamans in some Himalayan cultures.
Bumpas are used to pour water offerings on an altar, and also used to bless objects and people. Using the dipper, which is normally filled with peacock feathers, water can be flicked into the corners of rooms to bless and cleanse them a little like smudge smoke.
The bumpa does not leak, but the top has seperated from the main body, although it still fits quite tightly and does not fall of when the water is poured from the spout. It could be fixed on more securly by pinching some of the metal under it, or soldering it back on, but the fact that it is loose does not effect its use.
A beautiful ritual object for your altar, Buddhist or shamanic practice or display.
SHAMANS OR LAMAS RITUAL ARROW (Wealth Attracting or Divining Arrow) (Item No. arrow 001)
Origin: Mongolia
Age: 90 - 20 years approx
Length: 620mm (24.3 inches) approx
Mirror diameter: 43mm (1.75 inches) approx
Price: £135 (including postage worldwide)
A large magical arrow complete with shamans mirror (toli), a brocade bag with what feels like an animal tooth and rice inside (I have not opend the bag to check), and peices of silk.
Magical arrows are used in many shamanic cultures around the world, and this is very much the case in both Mongolia and Tibet. In Tibetan Buddhism Silk Arrows (Tib: Mda-dar) are arrows with either one or several silk scarfs tied to them which are used for divination, attracting wealth and many other types of white and black magic.
Wealth attracting arrows (Tib: Nor sGrub Mda-dar) are used to 'hunt' wealth (or other things one wishes to gain) with focused intent, and are normally painted red. This arrow is painted red above the feathers so it is almost certainly a wealth arrow.
A small simple brass shaman's mirror (toli) is tied to the arrow, together with several peices of silk and other material. The head of the arrow is hand made of iron, and is probably far older than the rest of the arrow. The flight feathers are from a large bird which might be vulture as this is a traditional feather to use.
The arrow is in good condition, although the flight feathers have seen better days. It could be displayed, put onto an altar or used if you felt it was appropriate.
HAMANS OR LAMAS RITUAL ARROW (Wealth Attracting or Divining Arrow) (Item No. arrow 02)
Origin: Mongolia
Age: 60 - 20 years approx
Length: 742mm (29.25 inches) approx
Mirror diameter: 57mm (2.1 inches) approx
Price: £135 (including postage worldwide)
A large magical arrow complete with shamans mirror (toli) and peices of silk.
Magical arrows are used in many shamanic cultures around the world, and this is very much the case in both Mongolia and Tibet. In Tibetan Buddhism Silk Arrows (Tib: Mda-dar) are arrows with either one or several silk scarfs tied to them which are used for divination, attracting wealth and many other types of white and black magic.
Wealth attracting arrows (Tib: Nor sGrub Mda-dar) are used to 'hunt' wealth (or other things one wishes to gain) with focused intent, and are normally painted red. This arrow is painted black.
A small simple brass shaman's mirror (toli) is tied to the arrow, together with several peices of silk and other material. The head of the arrow is hand made of iron, and is probably far older than the rest of the arrow. The flight feathers are from a large bird which might be vulture as this is a traditional feather to use.
The arrow is in good condition, although the flight feathers have seen better days. It could be displayed, put onto an altar or used if you felt it was appropriate.
IRON AND BRASS RITUAL TIBETAN WISDOM SWORD (Item No. sword 01)
Origin: Nepal
Age: 25 - 10 years approx
Length: 398mm (15.5 inches) approx
Price: £18 (including postage worldwide) = SOLD
Ritual swords are used in many Shamanic traditions. This is Tibetan Buddhist sword which has its roots in this shamanic tradition. The Khadga or fire, or wisdon sword is a symbol of Manjushree, the Buddha of divine wisdom, they are used to destroy ignorance - the enemy of liberation - and cut the all wordly attachments.
The sword has a brass vajra and mara (sea monster) at the hilt out of which the (unsharpened) iron blade comes. At the tip of the blade are brass flames. The sword is suitable for ritual use
SHAMANS COIN DIVINATION SET (Item No. divination 01)
Origin: Mongolia
Age: 160 years approx (the coins)
Length: 135mm (5.25 inches) approx
Price: £35 (including postage worldwide)
Loverly set of divination coins which show a nice amount of wear making them ideal for divination practice. The Manchu coins date back to about 1850 but the silk bag is fairly new.
Coin divination is one of the most common forms of shamanic divination found in Mongolia and the technique can be learn in the books of Sarangerel, the late Mongolian shamaness who wrote two fascinating books on Mongolian shamanims and was a regular contributor to Sacred Hoop Magazine.They are in nice condition and are well cast. Please note price is for one phurba.
Suitable for your own shamanic divination practice.
WOODEN SHAMAN'S PHURBA - SHAMANS DAGGER (Item No. phurba 01)
Origin: Nepal
Age: 120 - 70 years approx
Length: 272mm (10.6 inches) approx
Price: £79 (including postage worldwide)
Phurbas are used by Buddhist lamas and shamans throughout Nepal and Tibet for healing, protection against harm and the killing of demons - both internal and external ones. They are very powerful and unique ritual items, and are often kept by Nepalese shamans on their altars to represent the three worlds and the world tree that connects them together.
This is an old, well carved large wooden Nepalese shaman's phurba in good condition.
For more information about phurbas read the article about them on the articles page of this website.
WOODEN SHAMAN'S PHURBA - SHAMANS DAGGER (Item No. phurba 01)
Origin: Nepal
Age: 15 - 5 years approx
Length: 212mm (8.2 inches) approx
Price: £28 (including postage worldwide)
Phurbas are used by Buddhist lamas and shamans throughout Nepal and Tibet for healing, protection against harm and the killing of demons - both internal and external ones. They are very powerful and unique ritual items, and are often kept by Nepalese shamans on their altars to represent the three worlds and the world tree that connects them together.
This is an fairly new, well carved wooden Nepalese shaman's phurba in good condition.
For more information about phurbas read the article about them on the articles page of this website.
BRASS PHURBA - RITUAL TIBETAN BUDDHIST OR SHAMANS DAGGER (Item No. phurba 01)
Origin: Tibet or Nepal
Age: 70 - 20 years approx
Length: 180mm (7 inches) approx
Price: £39 (including postage worldwide)
A small, but nicely made brass vajra phurba. It is handmade with little imperfections, and has all the normal inconography. The tip of the blade has been slightly bent at some point in it's history, but this is a small thing and could be bent back and straightened with care.
Phurbas are used by Buddhist lamas and shamans throughout Nepal and Tibet for healing, protection against harm and the killing of demons - both internal and external ones. They are very powerful and unique ritual items, and are oftenkept by Nepalese shamans on their altars to represent the three worlds and the world tree that connects them together.
For more information about phurbas read the article about them on the articles page of this website.
SHAMAN'S IRON TRIDENT OR TRISUL (Item Number: Trisul 01)
Origin: Nepal
Age: 100 - 30 years approx
Length: 272mm (10.6 inches) approx
Price: £29 (including postage worldwide)
Nepalese shamans mix their shamanism with both Hindu and Buddhist ideas. In Hinduism, trisuls like this are normally a symbol of Shiva, and in Buddhism they are associated with Pafamsambhava, but in shamanism they represent the three worlds.
Iron trisuls like this are kept on a shamans altar, fixed to the roof of a house, or put onto the top of a flag pole hung with prayer flags and offerings to the spirits.
The trisul is in good condition with just a little layer of rust as you would expect from an niron nitem.
RITUAL TIBETAN SILVER FLAYING KNIFE (Item No. Knife 01)
(Tibetan: gri-gug or trigu. Sanskrit: kartrika)
Origin: Tibet or Nepal
Age: 30 - 20 years approx
Length: 285mm (11.25 inches) approx
Price: £105 (including postage worldwide)
A ritual flaying knife (or chopper), known in both Hindu and Buddhist symbolism. As a ritual tool, this knife is used in Sky-Burials, the Tibetan practice of taking the deceased into the open countryside where the corpse is chopped to pieces and then left to be eaten by carrion birds and other animals.
In Tibetan traditions, they are often found together with the kapala, a ritual cup made from a human skull or made in the shape of a skull. The kartrika symbolizes the sharp-edged blade of wisdom which cuts away the skin of illusion and ignorance.
The gri-gug is made of low grade Tibetan silver or possibly silver plated copper or brass, and is solid and heavy. It has the normal iconography including the horse head of Hayagreva who's scream smashes the illusion of our reality like a fragile piece of glass, allowing us to see the real nature of existence underneath the illusions we all live by each day. The casting is quite fine and the item is in excellent condition, being suitable for display or ritual use.
