Image title: Figure 1.1: An historic object record from the Victoria

[Figure 1.1]—An historic object record from the Victoria and Albert Museum (IM.263.1916) for a set of bone ornaments donated by the mother of a former member of the British Trade Agency escort at Gyantse (rGyal rtse) from 1909-1911. Image courtesy of John Clarke.

Gallery information:

These plates originate from the study “On the use of Human remains in Tibetan ritual objects” by Ayesha Fuentes. This dissertation examines the cultural history and material applications of human remains in Tibetan rituals, utilizing conservation, technical art history, and anthropology. It focuses on skulls, bone ornaments, and the rkang gling trumpet, investigating their use in Buddhist tantra and contemporary practices, while establishing a framework for understanding their evolving significance.