Ritual Staff (Khatvanga), Ming dynasty (1368–1644), Yongle period (1403–24), 1403–1424, China, Iron inlaid with gold and silver, L. 11 1/8 in. (28.3 cm), Metalwork, Linear scrolls decorate the handle of this ritual staff (khatvanga), which is thought to quell demons and, by extension, the various obstacles found on one's spiritual journey. The finial of the staff consists of an overflowing vase, a long-standing Indic symbol of abundance, set beneath three heads-one human, one decaying, and one skeletal-which symbolize the inevitability of change and death
Keywords:
Ritual Staff, Khatvanga, Ming dynasty, 1368–1644, Yongle period, 1403–24, 1403–1424, China, Iron inlaid, gold, silver, L, 11 1/8, 28.3 cm, Metalwork, Linear scrolls, decorate, handle, ritual staff, khatvanga, thought, quell demons, extension, various obstacles, spiritual journey, finial, staff consists, overflowing vase, long-standing Indic, symbol, abundance, set beneath, three, heads, human, decaying, skeletal, symbolize, inevitability, change, death
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