Central Asia, Tibet or possibly Nepal, ca. late 19th century CE. A gorgeous amulet, a Tibetan version in the style of the Himalayan amulet boxes known as "jantar". One side uses stones to depict a skull-like mask - many of these amulets depict a monster or a mythical demon - whose eyes and open nose socket are black and higher profile, while the valleys of the rest of the face are a deep reddish brown color with some thin white bands created by polishing down the rock surface. Studded around this large mask are smaller inlays of turquoise, onyx, bone, coral, and yellow quartzite. A large loop for suspension is at the top, also inlaid with two smaller pieces of turquoise and one of coral. This face sits on a silver platform with a ring of silver filigree around its edge. Turn the amulet over and on the back is a low-relief figure of a dragon, its large, fanged head at the center of a swirling motif that suggests flames. Size: 0.85" L x 3.6" W x 4.6" H (2.2 cm x 9.1 cm x 11.7 cm)

Traditionally made by the Buddhist Newar people, amulets like this one were worn for protection; some, the "jantar", were actually boxes containing handwritten prayers or relics. The symbolism of the skull is a central one to Tibetan Buddhism, reflecting upon the transitory nature of life.

For over a thousand years, the Newar frequently traveled between Tibet and the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal, until the Sino-Indian War of 1962 shut down their caravan route. During this time, they had no local access to turquoise, so instead traded for the stone from China's Hubei Province via a trade route across Sichuan province. Coral came from an even further trade routes to this landlocked place. The long distance these materials traveled indicates how highly valued these amulets were. This was just part of the tradition of trade between the people of Central Asia that went into creating and selling this item - Buddhist monks and merchants sold silks, gems, metalwork, and amulets like this one throughout the Himalayan region.

Provenance: Denenberg Fine Arts, Los Angeles, California, USA

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#124884

Wear to exposed stone surfaces, with slight bending to the edges of the silver. Small areas of encrustation in the lower profile areas of the dragon pattern.