Rare Large 17th Century Monastery or Temple Gilt Copper Tibetan Dorje

This rare, sacred, and powerful antique Vajra (or Dorje in Tibetan) was sourced in Nepal but originates from Bhutan and is believed to date from the 17^th century.  I understand that it was salvaged from a destroyed or dismantled Tibetan Buddhist Monastery or Temple where it would have been displayed at an entrance or possibly held in the hand of a Buddha or Deity statue in a shrine room.

A vajra or dorje is a ritual weapon symbolizing the indestructible properties of a diamond and the irresistible force of a thunderbolt.  It is a type of club, and the weapon of the Indian Vedic rain and thunder-deity Indra and is used symbolically as a ritual tool by the dharma traditions of Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism, often to represent firmness of spirit and spiritual power.

It is composed of several parts. At its centre is a sphere which represents the primordial nature of the universe and the underlying unity of all things.  Emerging from the sphere are two lotus flowers, beyond which are four Makara or mythical sea creatures, and from their mouths come tongues that come together in a point.

This 5-pronged antique dorje has been wonderfully crafted in hollow sections from hand-beaten copper and then covered in gold leaf.  It has the look, feel, and patina of considerable antiquity and is in an excellent, near perfect, state of preservation for its age.

This rare Dorje is one of an identical pair from the same source, one of which has now sold.

An extremely rare and sacred ritual antiquity!