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Rubin Museum of Art, C2012.6.20
Carved Wood Prayer Beads
Rubin Museum of Art, C2012.6.20
Rubin Museum of Art, C2012.6.20

Carved Wood Prayer Beads

OriginChina
Date19th century
Dimensions11 3/4 × 1 3/4 × 1/2 in.
MediumWood, pink quartz, rose quartz and kingfisher
Classification(s)
Credit LineRubin Museum of Art, Gift of Anne Breckenridge Dorsey
Object numberC2012.6.20
DescriptionThis strand of Chinese prayer beads called mindfulness beads (nien zhu) would be worn on the wrist as a reminder of a spiritual commitment rather than as an item vigorously used in practice. Its highly decorative as well as symbolic materials—pink quartz, kingfisher feathers, and wooden beads carved with auspicious symbols—testify to this use as well as its amulet- or charm-like nature. The tassels of the endless knot below the guru bead are attached to two pearl-like buttons.
Not on view