Image title: Figure 4.5.15: Damage to the edge of a drum

[Figure 4.5.15]—Damage to the edge of a drum at the Wellcome Collection (A4737) reveals how the skin was attached to a cross-hatched area and cut marks around the edge of the drumhead show where the hide was trimmed down after being fixed in place, February 2017.

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.