明永樂 鐵鋄金銀天杖|Ritual staff
Unknown
Date unknown · Iron damascened with gold and silver · Asian Art
The elaborate decoration on this ritual staff employs the technique of damascening, in which the iron surface is first cross-hatched and then filled with soft gold and silver foils. With a thunderbolt (vajra), a skull, two human heads, and an overflowing vase on its handle, this type of staff served as a symbolic destroyer of obstacles to enlightenment in Tibetan Buddhist rites. The design, workmanship, and materials reflect the high standards of court art under the Yongle.
- Artist
- Unknown
- Date
- Date unknown
- Medium
- Iron damascened with gold and silver
- Culture
- China
- Department
- Asian Art
- Credit line
- Gift of Florence and Herbert Irving, 2015
