Two Tibetan Thigh Bone Prayer Wheel Cylinders | Circa 19th Century

Provenance & Ownership History
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Sold by Waddington’s, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, as Lot 691 in the Cabinet of Curiosities auction on December 14, 2023. Subsequently acquired by a private collector in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

$1,500.00
$1,500.00
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Pair of small Tibetan Buddhist prayer wheels carved from human femur bone, each 3.1 in tall, featuring three relief Buddha figures and a band of Sanskrit inscriptions, used for ritual prayer and meditation.
Two Tibetan Thigh Bone Prayer Wheel Cylinders | Circa 19th Century
Pair of Tibetan Buddhist prayer wheels hand-carved from human femur bone, dating to the 18th–19th century and decorated with sacred relief imagery.
Tibetan ritual prayer wheels carved from human bone, featuring three relief-carved Buddha figures and bands of sacred inscriptions.
Close-up of hand-carved Buddha figures on Tibetan Buddhist human bone prayer wheels, each shown in a distinct mudra.
18th–19th century Tibetan Buddhist ritual objects carved from human femur bone with detailed devotional relief decoration.
Pair of compact Tibetan prayer wheels measuring approximately 3.1 inches high and carved with Buddhist figures and inscriptions.
Human bone Tibetan prayer wheels with aged surfaces, carved Buddha imagery, and sacred script associated with Buddhist ritual practice.
Detailed carving on a Tibetan Buddhist prayer wheel showing relief Buddha figures beneath a band of sacred inscriptions.
Antique Tibetan ritual prayer wheels fashioned from human femur bone and decorated with symbolic Buddhist devotional imagery.
Tibetan Buddhist human bone ritual objects representing themes of prayer, impermanence, devotion, and the cycle of life and death.
Pair of hand-carved Tibetan bone prayer wheels with preserved relief decoration and natural age-related patina.
Relief-carved Buddhist figures and sacred inscriptions preserved on 18th–19th century Tibetan human bone prayer wheels.
Historic Tibetan Buddhist prayer wheels made from human femur bone, combining ritual function with intricate hand-carved decoration.
Rare pair of Tibetan Buddhist human bone prayer wheels with carved Buddha figures, sacred inscriptions, and centuries-old surface wear.
  • Pair of small Tibetan Buddhist prayer wheels carved from human femur bone, each 3.1 in tall, featuring three relief Buddha figures and a band of Sanskrit inscriptions, used for ritual prayer and meditation.
  • Two Tibetan Thigh Bone Prayer Wheel Cylinders | Circa 19th Century
  • Pair of Tibetan Buddhist prayer wheels hand-carved from human femur bone, dating to the 18th–19th century and decorated with sacred relief imagery.
  • Tibetan ritual prayer wheels carved from human bone, featuring three relief-carved Buddha figures and bands of sacred inscriptions.
  • Close-up of hand-carved Buddha figures on Tibetan Buddhist human bone prayer wheels, each shown in a distinct mudra.
  • 18th–19th century Tibetan Buddhist ritual objects carved from human femur bone with detailed devotional relief decoration.
  • Pair of compact Tibetan prayer wheels measuring approximately 3.1 inches high and carved with Buddhist figures and inscriptions.
  • Human bone Tibetan prayer wheels with aged surfaces, carved Buddha imagery, and sacred script associated with Buddhist ritual practice.
  • Detailed carving on a Tibetan Buddhist prayer wheel showing relief Buddha figures beneath a band of sacred inscriptions.
  • Antique Tibetan ritual prayer wheels fashioned from human femur bone and decorated with symbolic Buddhist devotional imagery.
  • Tibetan Buddhist human bone ritual objects representing themes of prayer, impermanence, devotion, and the cycle of life and death.
  • Pair of hand-carved Tibetan bone prayer wheels with preserved relief decoration and natural age-related patina.
  • Relief-carved Buddhist figures and sacred inscriptions preserved on 18th–19th century Tibetan human bone prayer wheels.
  • Historic Tibetan Buddhist prayer wheels made from human femur bone, combining ritual function with intricate hand-carved decoration.
  • Rare pair of Tibetan Buddhist human bone prayer wheels with carved Buddha figures, sacred inscriptions, and centuries-old surface wear.
Pair of small Tibetan Buddhist prayer wheels carved from human femur bone, each 3.1 in tall, featuring three relief Buddha figures and a band of Sanskrit inscriptions, used for ritual prayer and meditation.
Two Tibetan Thigh Bone Prayer Wheel Cylinders | Circa 19th Century
Pair of Tibetan Buddhist prayer wheels hand-carved from human femur bone, dating to the 18th–19th century and decorated with sacred relief imagery.
Tibetan ritual prayer wheels carved from human bone, featuring three relief-carved Buddha figures and bands of sacred inscriptions.
Close-up of hand-carved Buddha figures on Tibetan Buddhist human bone prayer wheels, each shown in a distinct mudra.
18th–19th century Tibetan Buddhist ritual objects carved from human femur bone with detailed devotional relief decoration.
Pair of compact Tibetan prayer wheels measuring approximately 3.1 inches high and carved with Buddhist figures and inscriptions.
Human bone Tibetan prayer wheels with aged surfaces, carved Buddha imagery, and sacred script associated with Buddhist ritual practice.
Detailed carving on a Tibetan Buddhist prayer wheel showing relief Buddha figures beneath a band of sacred inscriptions.
Antique Tibetan ritual prayer wheels fashioned from human femur bone and decorated with symbolic Buddhist devotional imagery.
Tibetan Buddhist human bone ritual objects representing themes of prayer, impermanence, devotion, and the cycle of life and death.
Pair of hand-carved Tibetan bone prayer wheels with preserved relief decoration and natural age-related patina.
Relief-carved Buddhist figures and sacred inscriptions preserved on 18th–19th century Tibetan human bone prayer wheels.
Historic Tibetan Buddhist prayer wheels made from human femur bone, combining ritual function with intricate hand-carved decoration.
Rare pair of Tibetan Buddhist human bone prayer wheels with carved Buddha figures, sacred inscriptions, and centuries-old surface wear.
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Two Tibetan Thigh Bone Prayer Wheel Cylinders | Circa 19th Century

Description
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Historical Context & Origin

Region: Tibet
Material: Human femur bone, hand-carved with relief decoration
Period: Likely 18th–19th Century (Tibetan Buddhist ritual tradition)

Description

This extraordinary and sacred pair of Tibetan Buddhist prayer wheels is intricately carved from human thigh bones, a practice deeply rooted in Tibetan ritual tradition. Each wheel is decorated with three relief-carved images of the Buddha in different mudra positions beneath a band of Sanskrit prayers. Though compact in size, these objects carry immense spiritual weight, embodying impermanence, devotion, and the transformative power of Buddhist practice.

Features

- Pair of hand-carved prayer wheels from human femur bone

- Three Buddha figures in relief, each in a distinct mudra (hand gesture)

- Band of Sanskrit inscriptions symbolizing prayers and blessings

- Compact devotional size, 3.1 in in height

- Crafted as ritual objects signifying impermanence and spiritual practice

Cultural Significance

In Tibetan Buddhism, prayer wheels are ritual tools believed to generate merit, spread compassion, and invoke blessings with each turn. Inscribed with sacred mantras such as Om Mani Padme Hum, these wheels serve as an extension of prayer itself—turning them carries the same spiritual potency as vocal recitation. The use of human bone in sacred ritual objects reinforces the Buddhist teaching of impermanence and the cycle of life and death. As such, these prayer wheels embody both ritual function and profound philosophical meaning, representing the rich spiritual heritage of Tibet.

Condition

Good condition with natural age-related wear. Relief carvings and inscriptions remain clear and legible.

Dimensions (Approximate)

Height: 3.1 in (each)

Age (Approximate)

125–325 years old

Provenance

Sold by Waddington’s, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, as Lot 691 in the Cabinet of Curiosities auction on December 14, 2023. Subsequently acquired by a private collector in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Learn More

Learn about Tibetan Prayer Wheels

View related Tibetan ritual artifacts: Tibetan Kapala Skull Cup, Pair of Rare Large Tibetan Kapala Citipati, and Tibetan Tantric Ritual Apron (Rus Gyan)

Description

Historical Context & Origin

Region: Tibet
Material: Human femur bone, hand-carved with relief decoration
Period: Likely 18th–19th Century (Tibetan Buddhist ritual tradition)

Description

This extraordinary and sacred pair of Tibetan Buddhist prayer wheels is intricately carved from human thigh bones, a practice deeply rooted in Tibetan ritual tradition. Each wheel is decorated with three relief-carved images of the Buddha in different mudra positions beneath a band of Sanskrit prayers. Though compact in size, these objects carry immense spiritual weight, embodying impermanence, devotion, and the transformative power of Buddhist practice.

Features

- Pair of hand-carved prayer wheels from human femur bone

- Three Buddha figures in relief, each in a distinct mudra (hand gesture)

- Band of Sanskrit inscriptions symbolizing prayers and blessings

- Compact devotional size, 3.1 in in height

- Crafted as ritual objects signifying impermanence and spiritual practice

Cultural Significance

In Tibetan Buddhism, prayer wheels are ritual tools believed to generate merit, spread compassion, and invoke blessings with each turn. Inscribed with sacred mantras such as Om Mani Padme Hum, these wheels serve as an extension of prayer itself—turning them carries the same spiritual potency as vocal recitation. The use of human bone in sacred ritual objects reinforces the Buddhist teaching of impermanence and the cycle of life and death. As such, these prayer wheels embody both ritual function and profound philosophical meaning, representing the rich spiritual heritage of Tibet.

Condition

Good condition with natural age-related wear. Relief carvings and inscriptions remain clear and legible.

Dimensions (Approximate)

Height: 3.1 in (each)

Age (Approximate)

125–325 years old

Provenance

Sold by Waddington’s, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, as Lot 691 in the Cabinet of Curiosities auction on December 14, 2023. Subsequently acquired by a private collector in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Learn More

Learn about Tibetan Prayer Wheels

View related Tibetan ritual artifacts: Tibetan Kapala Skull Cup, Pair of Rare Large Tibetan Kapala Citipati, and Tibetan Tantric Ritual Apron (Rus Gyan)

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