Materials:

Himalayan Crystal

Red & green beryl gems

Turquoise

Gold and silver plated copper

Dimensions & Weight:

Height: 9.5 inches

Width: 4 inches

Base width & depth: 6 inches

Weight: 1.6 kilogram

Shipping Origin: Kathmandu, Nepal

Description:

Master Nepali craftsman created this extraordinary Himalayan crystal Kapala, inlaid with green & red beryl gems and turquoise.

In Tibetan monasteries, a Kapala is used symbolically to hold bread or dough cakes, torma, and wine instead of blood and flesh as offerings to wrathful deities, such as the ferocious Dharmapala (defender of the faith). The dough cakes are shaped to resemble human eyes, ears, and tongues. The Kapala is made in the form of a skull, specially collected and prepared. It is elaborately anointed and consecrated before use. The cup is also elaborately decorated and kept on a triangular pedestal.

The beautifully inlaid cup is made from a single carved piece of Himalayan crystal, with an intricately decorated lid shaped like a skull.

Kapalas are used mainly for esoteric purposes such as rituals. Among the rituals using Kapalas are higher tantric meditation to achieve a transcendental state of thought and mind within the shortest possible time: libation to gods and deities to win their favor; by Tibetan Lamas as an offering bowl on the altar, being filled with wine or blood as a gift to the Yidam Deity or all the Deities, the Vajrayana empowerment ceremony.

The detail and craftsmanship displayed in this exquisite Kapala is absolutely remarkable.