The skull bowl (kapala) is one of the most important tantric cult objects in Tibetan Buddhism. It is used as an altar, consecration and sacrificial object. The bronze ritual bowl shown here is based on the shape of a human skull, but it is larger than the more common bowls made of real skulls. In the ritual, it acts as a sacrificial vessel into which a drink is poured that symbolizes the elixir of immortality (amrita).
Details
- Title : Kapāla (skull bowl)
- Year : 17-18. C.
- Classification : Sculpture
- Medium : Bronze
- Dimension : Object dimensions: 20 x 24 x 28.5 cm ; Weight: 1.8 kg
- Accession No : Identification number. I 5943
- Country/ Geo-location : NEPAL
- Collection : Pergamon Museum
- Collection : Museum of Asian Art South, Southeast and Central Asia
- Photo : Museum for Asian Art of the State Museums in Berlin - Prussian Cultural Heritage