Ritual sceptre "khatvanga", 19th century

Description

wood, black patina, pigment, carved with three skulls, female bust and crown-shaped tip, slightly dam., metal base;
a “khatvanga” is a long studded club originally created as a weapon. It was adopted as a religious symbol in both Hindu and Buddhist religions.
In Hinduism it relates to a particular shivaite sect while in Buddhism it is an attribute of “Padmasambhava”, the founder of Buddhism in Tibet.