Bonhams 1793 : A massive ornamental dorje Tibet, 18th century

Tibet, 18th century
Richly gilded, each end is cast with four curving outer prongs issued from finely detailed makara heads, converging on the faceted central element, the central knop flanked by lotus petal caps.
14 in. (35.6 cm) long

Sold for US$ 92,500 inc. premium

Footnotes

This unusually large dorje would have graced the altar of an important monastery or personal shrine of a high-ranking lama, given that it would not have lent itself to being used in the conventional manner during regular prayer.

In its basic meaning it represents compassion. As Robert Thurman expands, "One owns a vajra-scepter in order to remind oneself that this bliss-void indivisible state of being is one's highest potential and ultimate heritage." (Sacred Symbols, p. 30)

Published
Robert Thurman and David Weldon, Sacred Symbols: The Ritual Art of Tibet, Rossi and Rossi and Sotheby's, 1999, no. 10.

Provenance:
Private Collection
Rossi and Rossi, 1999
The Estate of Jack Bogart Collection, San Francisco, 2008
Thence by descent