Central Asia, Tibet, ca. 16th to 17th century CE. A beautiful finial from a Buddhist monk's staff, made of iron with incredibly delicate gold inlays forming a series of swirling motifs around its cylindrical, socket-like form. One side features a loop with a heavy ring projecting from it, used to create noise when it moved to announce the monk's presence. The gold inlays that wrap around the body depict four identical dragons, in two identical pairs flanking a central labyrinthine symbol; below them is a series of mountains, each depicted as a series of rolling, concentric curves. Size: 2.1" W x 3.4" H (5.3 cm x 8.6 cm); 4.25" H (10.8 cm) on included custom stand.

Buddhist priests originally used staffs to climb the steep hills of their Tibetan homeland; these staffs featured attached rings to alert other travelers and animals of their presence. Eventually, this style of staff evolved into the khakkara (also known as the pinyin (China) or shakujo (Japan), an elaborate ceremonial staff with and auspicious number of rings in a set position at the head of the staff. Earlier examples, like this one, feature just one ring. The dragon and labyrinth motifs incised on this finial's surface relate to important concepts in Tibetan Buddhism, with the labyrinth particularly symbolic - it is linked to the mandala, Sanskrit for "circle that contain the Essence", a ring that contains the entirety of the universe used to focus the mind during meditation and ritual.

Provenance: ex-private Hawaii, USA collection, 1970s

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#150911

Rich patina on the iron surface. Gold inlays have light wear commensurate with age, but the motifs are well preserved.