Used in Tibetan Buddhism, which was practiced at the Chinese court throughout the fifteenth century, this finial would have capped a long staff used in rituals to quell demons that are symbolic of obstacles that must be overcome to reach enlightenment. Depicted on this implement are an overflowing vase—an Indic symbol of abundance—and three heads—one human, one decaying, and one skeletal—representing the inevitability of change and death.
Period: Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
Date: early 15th century
Culture: China
Medium: Ivory
Dimensions: H. 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm); W. 1 5/16 (3.3 cm); D. 1 1/16 in. (2.7 cm)
Classification: Ivories
Credit Line: Gift of Florence and Herbert Irving, 2015
Accession Number: 2015.500.6.13