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Directory: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Indian Subcontinent: Himalayas: Pre 1900: Item # 1482324

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Dmitry Levit Asian Art
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3 Highland Park
Cambridge, MA 02139
617-875-8154

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Late 19th century small Chinese / Tibetan mala - Buddhist rosary consisting of 108 Chinese angel skin coral prayer beads and 4 jadeite ones that serve as spacers dividing the prayer beads into groups of 27 each. Must have been made for a child as the beads are small (about 4 mm in diameter). True white coral with beautiful areas of slight pink. Traditionally Buddhist rosary of 108 even-sized beads is used for mantra recitation. The thread represents the continuity of the buddhadharma piercing the 108 worldly passions. The mantras are recited to accomplish the four karmas or enlightened activities of pacifying, enriching, magnetizing, and destroying. On completion of a full cycle of 108 mantras recitations, the mala is turned around and the next mantra cycle is counted in reversed order along the beads. The mala appears to be restrung recently, but the beads themselves are old, with wonderful warm patina from handling. Length when stretched is 8 inches (without tassel), total length 16 inches. Fits nicely around a neck or a wrist of a small child, very pleasant to the touch