1 Dorje gyatram, double dorje made up of pearls, symbolic of the origin of the Buddhist cosmos and tantric practice, the double dorje is the ultimate symbol of vajrayana. Early Buddhist period. [back]

2 Khyung. Its horns flank the triple jewels. Early Buddhist period. [back]

3 Standing Lokeshvara. Identified by the lotus and mudra (hand position) this is one of the favourite deities of Tibet. 16th century. [back]

4 A four-pronged dorje on a bronze plaque bearing the mantra "Om ba dza satwa hum". This is the mantra of the deity of purification, Vajrasattva. 17th century. [back]

5 A monkey mounted on a horse. This is a Taoist motif absorbed by Tibet. 15th century. [back]

6 A ram's head, originally a pre-Buddhist motif associated with fertility and protection. Certain mountain gods such as Grabye Gyalpo are said to manifest as ram's heads. Buddhist period. [back]

7 Plaque with the Rigsum Gonpo deities Chenrezig. Chenadorje and Manjushri, and the mani and vajra mantras. The iconography of the deities and Yasodharman derived script indicate that this specimen is 16th century. [back]

8 A very rare tsha-tsha mold used to produce torma, sacred cakes used in occult rituals. Early Buddhist period. [back]

9 A rare skull bead. The skull in Tantric Buddhism symbolizes the emptiness of all worldly phenomena. Early Buddhist period. [back]

10 Tsepu, the protector, graces this buckle used to bind scriptures. This is a very fine example of this style of buckle. Early Buddhist period. [back]

11 A head of Tsepu this object was originally a buckle. Early Buddhist period. [back]

12 A monkey. A Sino-Tibetan motif. This example appears to date from the pre-Buddhist period. [back]

13 Plaque with the seven syllable mani mantra. 17th century. [back]

14 An early rare gau shaped pendant. 17th century. [back]

15 Khyung. This whimsical piece captures the mirthful Tibetan spirit. 17th century. [back]

16 Dorje surmounted by triple jewels. This is a very fine example of a ritual thunderbolt. 16th century. [back]

17 Endless knot. One of the eight auspicious signs symbolizes the universality of the Buddhist teaching, and is a popular good luck symbol. 17th century. [back]

18 A small striding lion. Early Buddhist period. [back]