| DESCRIPTION: An antique strand of Tibetan Buddhist prayer beads (or mala), handcrafted with beads of light tan yack bone strung on a cord and terminating in a large antique ivory guru. Malas such as this one were handed down in Tibetan families for generations, and genuine antique malas are becoming quite difficult to find. This 19th C. strand has been restrung with a large copper button clasp so that it can be worn as a choker (see last photo), making a most unique and beautiful necklace. DIMENSIONS: Total length is 16” (47 cm).
CULTURAL BACKGROUND: Malas are strings of beads used as an aid to prayer in the recitation of mantras for the Buddhist religion, much as a Catholic rosary is used (both share name similarity, as both names refer to garlands of flowers). A mala is held in the hand and rotated, one bead at a time, while mantras are recited. It is used so that one can think about the meaning of the mantra as it is chanted rather than thinking about counting the repetitions, as mantras are often repeated hundreds, thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of times. Counting always begins at the guru, or large head bead. One mantra is usually said for every bead, turning the thumb clockwise around each bead. When arriving back at the guru, the mala is turned around and then counting goes back in the same direction.
Price: $995 Stock #JO41 |
