North American Auction Company
Timed Auction

Last Chance January Passed Lots Offering - Ends February 3rd

Mon, Jan 30, 2023 02:00AM EST - Fri, Feb 3, 2023 03:00PM EST
Lot 283

Hand-carved Tibetan Buddhist Prayer Wheel

Estimate: $400 - $800

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$50 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,500 $250
Available in this lot is a Vintage Hand-carved Tibetan Buddist Hand Prayer Wheel, with carved bone, Tibetan silver, coral, turquoise and wood. There are various sizes and styles of Buddhist prayer wheels. You can find prayer wheels that are hand-held to those that can stand on a tabletop. Besides that, there are also enormous wheels that are eight to twelve feet tall and five to six feet in diameter. This prayer wheel is a "mani" wheel. Mani wheels are the most common form of hand Tibetan prayer wheels. It has a cylindrical metal or bone body mounted on a metal or wooden handle that can turn on a circular motion. The cylinder has a cord or chain which allows it to get spun easily with just a slight rotation. This prayer wheel has a carved wood handle, two separate carved bone cylinders with carved Ranjana script, bands of Tibetan silver decorated with coral and turquoise stones separating the two cylinders, a Tibetan silver top cap of coral and turquoise stones as well. Ranjana script (an abugida sometimes known as alphasyllabary, neosyllabary or pseudo-alphabet), writing system which developed in the 11th century and until the mid-20th century was used in an area from Nepal to Tibet by the Newar people, the historic inhabitants of the Kathmandu valley. Today it is also used in Buddhist monasteries in India, China, Mongolia and Japan. It is also considered to be the standard Nepali calligraphic script. This vintage hand carved prayer wheel is in very nice condition, the carved bone cylinders appear in intact, one coral stone is missing from the center Tibetan silver band. The Tibetan silver and wood handle have age related patina throughout. No other obvious marring noted. Measures 1.25"W x 1.25"L approximately.