TIBETAN 24k GILT AND HAND PAINTED WOOD SHRINE YAB-YUM Start Price USD 1,295.00 Current Price USD 1,295.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Thursday, August 28, 2008 End Time Thursday, September 04, 2008 Location Dublin, Ohio See more about 'TIBETAN 24k GILT AND HAND PAINTED WOOD SHRINE YAB-YUM' Description I am selling several pieces from my extensive collection of Tibetan and Chinese antiques and curiosities.  These are all extraordinary objects, collected over the past several years.    Please be sure to check my other listings! This item is a vintage Tibetan Buddhist shrine, used in Tibetan homes and monasteries for worship of particular gods.  This shrine is dedicated to Yab-Yum.   Yab-Yum is a common symbol in the Buddhist art of Tibet, and represents the  male deity, Chakrasamvara in sexual union with his female consort, Vajrayogini.  Often the male deity is represented as sitting in the lotus position, while his consort is sitting in his lap. Yab-Yum is generally understood to represent the primordial (or mystical) union of wisdom and compassion. The masculine form is passive, representing the compassion and skillful means that have to be developed in order to reach enlightenment. The feminine form is active and represents wisdom, which is also necessary to enlightenment. United, the figures symbolize the union necessary to overcome the veils of Maya, and the false duality of object and subject. This particular shrine is made of a base material of wood, deeply carved by hand with Bodhisattvas flanking the main sculpture, and the flaming jewel of wisdom on the back, brightly hand painted in polychrome. It has hand hammered copper and brass trim around the outside edge.  The statue of Yab-Yum insterted into the shrine is bronze, gilt with 24 karat gold.  The detail and craftsmanship of this unique collectable is extraordinary, and it will be a very interesting decorative item for your home and will make an impressive addition to any collection of Tibetan objects. The dimensions are:  17" high X  15" wide X 5 1/2" deep.  It weighs 15 pounds.  Shipping is via FedEx ground service insured, with electronic tracking for your convenience. International purchases will ship via USPS Airmail Priority.   Items will be shipped within 24 hours of receipt of your payment.  I will combine shipping on multiple purchases.   PLEASE EMAIL WITH ANY QUESTIONS YOU MANY HAVE!          Place a Bid!