Spear, 17th–19th century
Tibetan
Iron, gold, silver, wood, and pigments; L. overall 53 1/4 in. (135.3 cm); L. of spearhead 15 5/8 in. (39.7 cm)
Purchase, Gift of Kenneth and Vivian Lam, and Funds from Various Donors, 2004 (2004.340a,b)
Technical Glossary
Tibetan
Iron, gold, silver, wood, and pigments; L. overall 53 1/4 in. (135.3 cm); L. of spearhead 15 5/8 in. (39.7 cm)
Purchase, Gift of Kenneth and Vivian Lam, and Funds from Various Donors, 2004 (2004.340a,b)
The decoration on the spearhead and shaft indicate that this spear was intended for ritual use, probably by an oracle. The spearhead is damascened in gold and silver with the motif known as "dry skulls," surrounded by stylized intestines. These are among the attributes of the fierce guardian deities and would be appropriate for a weapon intended for the chapel of such a deity, or for an oracle acting as a medium for one.
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Related Index Terms
Material and Technique
- • Metalwork, Gold
- • Metalwork, Gold, South and Southeast Asia
- • Metalwork, Iron
- • Metalwork, Silver
- • Metalwork, Silver, South and Southeast Asia
- • Wood, Arms and Armor
