Tibetan Fire Gilt Copper Repousse Cittimandala, 17th-18th Century
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A Tibetan fire gilt copper repousse Cittimandala, circa 17th-18th century the mandala finely depicting various deities seated on their lotus thrones within ten foliate scrolls terminating to a lotus blossom at the base. The upper register depicts multiple images of the deity Vajravidarana holding a heart-high visvavajra and bell-symbolising the destructive or cleansing power of the vajra. The vajravidarana cleansing ceremony is a powerful spiritual aid to expunge or tear asunder to release the mental and physical poisons lying at the root of suffering. To the left below this deity is Jina Yuddhajaya- one of the 35 Buddhas of confession who embodies victory over the battles of the spirit, holding a coat of mail. A line of Tibetan script to the centre of the panel. 33.6 cm high, 25.8 cm wide. Provenance: Arnold Liberman gallery of New York. An important private collection, Sorell, Tasmania.
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- Circa - A Latin term meaning 'about', often used in the antique trade to give an approximate date for the piece, usually considered to be five years on either side of the circa year. Thus, circa 1900 means the piece was made about 1900, probably between 1895 and 1905. The expression is sometimes abbreviated to c.1900.
- Embossed / Repousse - Embossing, also known as repousse, is the technique of decorating metal with raised designs, by pressing or beating out the design from the reverse side of the object.It is the opposite of chasing, where the decoration is applied from the front. An embossed or repoussed object may have chasing applied to finish off the design.
- Foliate - Decorated with leaves or leaf-like forms.
- Important - Important is a word used in the antique trade to indicate an object should be ranked above other similar objects, and is therefore more valuable.
The object could be considered important because it is by a famous designer or maker, has been shown at a major exhibition, is of exquisite workmanship, is rare or is a "one-off", was made for an important patron, and so on.
Even further up the pecking order are objects that are described in catalogue descriptions as highly important or extraordinarily important.
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