AE.1960.0013.0001.1-3

Crâne-patère rituel

In Tibet the body is considered worthless without a soul. This gives rise to “sky burials” where bodies are dissected and placed on mountaintops to serve as food for vultures. Remaining skulls are used as ritual sacrificial dishes and drums while tibias and femurs serve as flutes. For special ceremonies, priests wear magnificently woven aprons made from human bones.

Tibet, China

1800 - 1899

dish (vessel for food), base (object component)

1960-04-04

achat - Scheins, J.