Antique 19th Century Tibetan Carved Yak Bone Etched Silver Relic Scroll Holder for Sale

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Antique 19th Century Tibetan Carved Yak Bone Etched Silver Relic Scroll Holder For Sale

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Antique 19th Century Tibetan Carved Yak Bone Etched Silver Relic Scroll Holder:
$305.00

EARLY 19th CENTURY RARE TIBETAN CARVED YAK BONE & ETCHED SILVER RELIC/SCROLL HOLDER
This hand crafted Tibetan Talisman is an absolute one of one. Talisman holders were used to protect rolled paper scrolls, typically prayer scrolls or other heavily important/sacred information and/or literature. This piece is quite old, most likely dating back to the late 1800s or early 1900s. The Tibetan prayer/script holder bears hand etched INCREDIBLY INTRICATE designs on the thick silver throughout. The most unique part of this piece is what is in between the silver. Between the silver is fine, smoothened and perfectly arranged Yak bone. The Yak is a native animal of Tibet, and Nepal which is exactly where this Tibetan prayer holder comes from. These pieces were almost always crafted by Tibetan Buddhist monks. The reasoning behind the Yak bone is due to the meaning that it carries in the Buddhist religion. Yak bones represent not only the spirit of the Yak, but also are a symbol of purity, strength and courage. While surfing the web I found many Tibetan Talisman prayer holders. However, not a SINGLE one included any bone whatsoever, let alone authentic Yak bone WITH an extremely detailed design etched directly into it... you also just will not find a sterling silver that bears such intricate, hand composed painstakingly inlaid patterning. Stunning.... truly.
Right off the bat when holding this piece you are able to see how unbelievable it really is. It has quite a nice weight to it (117 GRAMS!), and the vibrant color of the silver blends beautifully with the deep, aged color of the bone. The designs on the bone are not completely symmetrical obviously, due to the fact that it was hand crafted. The imperfections are quite possibly my favorite part of the holder. The condition of the Talisman is absolutely PHENOMENAL considering the age of the piece. More than likely over 100 years old, there are no chips, scratches, or dents in the bone (nor silver). While this may seem hard to believe - remember that this is a piece tied into a faith... one that would be spared normal wear and tear given its sacred usage. There are zero signs of any heavy tarnish or erosion, and the chain link is still completely in tact. This piece has (beyond a doubt) aged tremendously over the years. On the interior of the Talisman Tibetan prayer holder, you are able to get a better look at the actual bone. This will give you an even better idea of how old this piece is, due to the aged feel, color, and texture that the inside of the bone has (photo above). Tibetan Talismans, let alone any Talisman, are a thing of the past (and have been for many years). The vast majority of what you find online nowadays is either a complete knock off, or has been refurbished several times throughout the years. You are more than welcome to look for yourself, as I searched endlessly for any piece remotely similar to this one, and was unable to find just a single one. I purchased this piece in the early 90’s at a Tibetan antiquities shop on Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles CA . I vividly remember the day because of how this piece stood out to me. I had never, and STILL have never seen anything like it (even at 76 years of age)! I have held on to this piece dearly for the past 30 years, but unfortunately do not feel it should be in my hands any longer. For one, I am not a buddhist (though this doesn't prevent me from truly respecting the faith, and the men and women who practice it). Secondly, I have watched as it has slowly collected dust while on my nightstand throughout the years, and think that it should instead be in the hands of someone who appreciates just how special it is. This is something that has lived through many lifetimes, been held by hundreds of hands, and filled with countless prayers (mine too (: It is not often that you are able to own a piece of history from a time long gone by.. I hope that whoever this prayer holder ends up with, you understand the value, meaning, and history that it carries along with it. Remember, the monk that made this piece (spent countless hours doing it) is no longer with us... please offer responsibly (:
Thank you for looking. It will be a bittersweet moment when this piece goes out - but I will rest easy knowing it will finally get to move on to its next phase in a life... a life that will continue long after my own has come to and end.