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Metal and Stone Vestiges
Religion, Magic and Protection in the Art of Ancient Tibet

Image 12b

These three thokchas of anthropomorphous faces may all date to pre-Buddhist times. The two specimens on the left were made to be displayed by threading a cord through the eyelets. In terms of head shape and facial characteristics, the specimen on the right most closely matches the pictographic head. It appears to have a wrathful mien while the other two heads are more pacific in nature. These thokchas are probably the protective visages of deities.

all text & images © John Vincent Bellezza


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