Description
A highly unusual example three faces, and gilding. The gold foil looks pretty thick, actually. It is cut from the parietal portion of a human skull. Mounted on a black metal stand.
Such kapalas originally came from the Shan People of Burma, who migrated to Burma in approximately the late ninth century. The earliest evidence of shamanistic Bonpo rituals in that area also date to that period. This is an antique kapala that has seen a lot of use as a ritual cup.
4″ x 4 1/4″
19C
