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Ritual Mace
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Ceremonial weaponry was used in tantric rituals to combat obstacles to enlightenment, such as ignorance and uncontrolled passions. In 1407 a high-ranking Tibetan monastic patriarch visited the emperor of the Ming dynasty, known as Yongle. The Yongle emperor presented him with a number of gifts, of which the axe, mace, flaying knife, incense burner (1983.154), and the gilt bronze Virupa (1972.96) appear to have been a part, since the sculpture and the axe bear his identifying inscription in a cartouche. Imperial Chinese workmanship is noted in the lush rendering of the lion heads from which the blades emerge, the calligraphic serpentine forms, and the cloud motifs.
| Artist / Maker | Anonymous, Yongle period (1403-1427) |
|---|---|
| Date | early 1400s |
| Culture / Origin | Sino-Tibetan, Derge School, Yongle period (1403-1427) |
| Medium | iron alloy with gold inlay |
| Dimensions | Overall: 38.5 cm (15 3/16 in.) |
| Department | Indian and Southeast Asian Art |
| Type | Metalwork |
About the Artist
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
Condition
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