Bone Ornament Item Number: Ee4.36 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
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.
History Of Use
Ritual bone objects such as bone bead aprons, breast covers and ornaments are worn as funerary dancing clothes in Tibetan Buddhism.
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.
Item History
- Made in Tibet
- Collected between 1890 and 1900
- Owned by Albert Poole, F. Abner Poole and Louise Eleanor Poole before March 15, 1982
- Received from Albert Poole (Donor), F. Abner Poole (Donor) and Louise Eleanor Poole (Donor) on March 15, 1982
What
- Name
- Bone Ornament
- Identification Number
- Ee4.36
- Type of Item
- ornament
- Material
- water buffalo bone, fibre, skin and yak bone
- Overall
- height 27.0 cm, width 22.0 cm, depth 1.5 cm
Who
- Culture
- Tibetan
- Previous Owner
- Albert Poole, F. Abner Poole and Louise Eleanor Poole
- Received from
- Albert Poole (Donor), F. Abner Poole (Donor) and Louise Eleanor Poole (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Tibet
When
- Collection Date
- between 1890 and 1900
- Ownership Date
- before March 15, 1982
- Acquisition Date
- on March 15, 1982
Other
- Item Classes
- beadwork
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 0787/0002