078
Dancer's Bone Apron Ritual or devotional object
Bone and various strings (mostly cotton)
29.5 x 16.5 inches (as displayed)
Indeterminate region
Various dates, Ca. 18th century?
Indeterminate style
This apron was worn by dancers portraying Tantric deities during religious
pagents. Bone aprons are usually made of carved human or animal bones. The
human bones are collected from the remains in charnal fields and they symbolize
one's own death and release from the material world. The carved figures
on this apron are dakinis, or female Tantric practitioners. A set of six
bone ornaments (five-skulls crown, chest ornament, armlets, bracelets, apron
and anklets) symbolizes the attainment of the six perfections in the process
towards enlightenment.
Natalie Marsh
Museum #: 91.001.003
Huntington Archive Image Scan #: T1078