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Tibetan Engraved Human Skull

Posted by Charlie Hintz | Cabinet of Curiosities

Ornately engraved Tibetan skulls were used as talismans that were believed to lift a family curse or guide a soul gone astray.

In Tibet, an engraved human skull is a powerful piece. The carvings in the bone are made to take a curse off a family or to guide the soul of a mislead human on the right path to enlightenment.

Engraved in the forehead are the Citipati, also known as “Lords of the Graveyard.” They are depicted in the “bow and arrow” posture (elbows and knees intertwined) which refers to the highest grade of the Outer Tantra.

There are seven tantric levels. 3 levels of the Outer, and 4 levels of the Inner Tantra.

On the highest grade of the Inner Tantra, the skeletons would be depicted copulating.

Tibetan engraved Kapala skull

Top view of the engraved skull from Tibet

Back view of the engraved human skull from Tibet

Forhead of the skull engraved with Citipati skeleton figures

The more ornate Tibetan Kapala skulls are embellished with silver and semi-precious stones and were commonly used as a ritual bowl to drink blood out of during ancient human sacrifice rituals.

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32 Comments
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Brie K
Brie K
3 years ago

Hi! I have a skull I purchased from a man that was a Tibetian human skull. It has a bit different symbols and I’m interested to see what everyone thinks they may mean.

Last edited 3 years ago by Brie K
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Sergio Martinez
Sergio Martinez
4 years ago

I have a human skull with inlaid brass stenciling on the head and back including the yin-yang, and carved Tibetan writing on the front mandible. I’m wondering if anyone knows anything as to its origin. The Copper Hammer website offered me $1200 for it but all they could tell me about it, without actually seeing it in person, is that it MAY BE of Tibetan origin. Wow, America, you’ve discovered Columbus. I could have told them that. I’m sure they’ll quadruple that price once it hits the newsstands. I’m not so much interested in selling it as in finding out… Read more »

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Erudite Birdy
Erudite Birdy
9 years ago

FYI
In many states in the US it is illegal to sell body parts.
In some it is illegal to possess them.
Then there are Federal laws too.
Always check with a lawyer BEFORE buying any body parts.

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Leigh Sherlock
Leigh Sherlock
9 years ago

I still have a fantastic,genuine fully carved Yama skull for sale
This is an old very genuine museum grade specimen
If anyone is interested in buying this,email me at leigh.sherlock@yahoo.co.uk
And I will send you any amount of photos,info etc,this is not a scam or some shitty modern “kapala” which is probably some modern day rickshaw driver ,this is the genuine article,fully authentic ,very hard to date unless you have carbon dating kit but any trial is welcome ,between 300 and 700 years old

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Word of Caballera
Word of Caballera
10 years ago

You do know that the Tibetan’s are like the world’s most oppressed people right? Chances are if you happen to find an engraved human head some monk isn’t holding onto as the most sacred object they have ever owned, that a Chinese person is selling it. After over 1/2 a century of destroying monasteries, locking people up without say nor word of their whereabouts and just bulldozing people’s houses guess where the Chinese person might have gotten it from? See, no Tibetan is going to sell you their ancestor’s skull. You’ve got to be buying this stuff only from original… Read more »

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SONIA
SONIA
11 years ago

Dear Collectors of The Unusual,
*We are pleased to offer you this Incredible and Rare Tibetan Kapala.*

*Amazing detail & workmanship! Perfect condition!*

*Great patina!*
*Provenance:* Old family collection formed in the 1960’s.
*Price 4,000 USD*
Cheers!

contact::: soniabrito44@gmail.com

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Nyima Pema
Nyima Pema
12 years ago

May I know, where, how & how much I can get it please? Thank you…

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Dietmar
Dietmar
12 years ago

please contact me

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Edniaën
Edniaën
12 years ago

Human bones are regularly used in the rituals of Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism, and of all Tibetan customs, none has attracted more attention than the use of human skulls for practical and religious purposes. A whole decorated skull is called a ‘yama’ (which is also the name for the Hindu and Buddhist god of death), while a partial decorated skull is called a ‘kapala’, or a skull cup, which is made out of the upper half of the human skull. Yamas may have been carved to take a curse off a family, or to guide a misled soul onto the right… Read more »

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