A rare pair of antique Himalayan Citipati male and female skeletons. Made of gilt copper and with traces of original red, black and white pigment. Citipati "Lord of the Funeral Pyre" or "Lord and Lady of the Cemetery" (known in Sanskrit as (चितिपति) is a protector deity or supernatural being in Tibetan Buddhism. The Citipati is said to be one of the seventy-five forms of Mahakala and represents the eternal dance of death as well as perfect awareness. The male skeleton represents Heruka Chakrasamvara while the female is his consort, Vajrayogini. Citipati is an important Dharma protector and acts as a remover of the obstacles that arise during mediation especially to practitioners of Vajrayogini's tantra.

Age: 18th/19th century

Dimensions: 21 1/2" high x 6" wide x 6" deep