The Tibetan skull cup, known as "Kapala" in Sanskrit, is fashioned from the oval calvarium of a human skull. It serves as a libation vessel for a vast number of Vajrayana deities. Kapalas are made from skulls that have been collected at a 'sky burial' site; an ancient Tibetan custom in which the bodies of dead monks are dismembered and scattered over open ground to give 'alms to the birds.' This ritual carries great religious significance, reinforcing the principle of Samsara, the cycle of repeated birth, mundane existence, and dying again. This antique Kapala has a beautiful ivory color, and is a fascinating example of master craftsmanship. It features a row of mini skulls that line the exterior rim of the vessel, and a metal lining on the interior.
 
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