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Description

Tibetan ritual bone ornaments are known as rus rgyan (སྣམ་བུ). It is a bone apron with five rectangular medallions at the top that are elaborately carved with human figures. These are connected by horizontal double strands of bone beads and several smaller medallions of varying shape. Hanging vertically from this material are varying numbers of strands of bone beads which are joined and divided by 28 carved square medallions of varying size and pattern. Some of the designs are flowers, birds, shells, and concentric circles. All beads and medallions are a light brown and yellow colour with some dark brown patches. There are 15 tassels and 15 balls attached to the apron at the edges.

Narrative

ZooMs collagen analysis determined bones to be water buffalo and yak

Cultural Context

Human remains in museum collections present a complex, ethical challenge. Objects made from human remains are often removed from their cultural context and have been misidentified or misunderstood, frequently without recognizing the significance they hold in cultures that use human bones for ritual and ceremonial purposes. Ritual objects made both from human and animal bones are a distinctive feature of Tibetan tantric Buddhism. To Tibetans, human bones serve as a reminder of life’s brevity and the inevitability of death. Bones have additional symbolic dimensions. Tibetans view skulls as natural containers that, unshaped by human hands, represent the inherent goodness that reflects the natural state of the mind. Tibetan Buddhists often donated their skulls and bones to monasteries in order to gain spiritual merit after their death.

History Of Use

Ritual bone objects such as bone bead aprons, breast covers and ornaments are worn as funerary dancing clothes in Tibetan Buddhism.