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Faceted Metal Prayer Beads
OriginBhutan
Dateca. 1800
Dimensions21 × 1 1/8 × 1/4 in.
MediumBronze alloy containing gold, turquoise and coral
Classification(s)
Credit LineRubin Museum of Art, Gift of Anne Breckenridge Dorsey
Object numberC2012.6.14
DescriptionThis Bhutanese strand of prayer beads is made of complex hexagonal beads of bronze alloy inlaid with gold, turquoise, and coral. According to the symbolic significance of these materials, the precious metals such as gold would be suitable for practices of increase and expansion, the bronze and coral would be conducive for activities of power, and the turquoise could be used for wrathful practices. Overall it appears that the beads were used for all of the above, as is often the case with Tibetan Buddhist prayer beads.Not on view
19th century
early 19th century
19th century
18th century
late 19th century
20th century
18th or 19th century
19th century
early 19th century
Date unknown
18th century
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