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RARE Antique Tibetan Buddhist Japa Mala – 108 Bodhi Seed Beads, Vajra/Dorje & Counters
This is an authentic antique Tibetan Buddhist Japa Mala, measuring approximately 36 inches in total length. It features 108 primary beads, an intact guru bead, two traditional counter strings, and an intact Vajra (Dorje) finial.
The primary beads appear to be Bodhi seeds or lotus seeds, with extensive natural aging and evidence of prolonged handling. The beads have developed a deep mahogany-brown patina over time. Their surfaces retain substantial evidence of age and use, including darkened and crusted material embedded within the natural grooves and textures of the seeds.
Notable original features include:
- Approximately 36\" in total length
- 108 main beads present and intact
- Original guru bead intact
- Two Tibetan mantra counter strings remain attached
- Counter strings feature multiple stacked copper- or brass-tone discs
- Vajra (Dorje) finial remains intact
- Original hand-spun cord remains present
- Visible dovetail/friction wear where the beads have rubbed against the coarse cord through extended handling and use
- Significant natural surface patina consistent with age and handling
Untouched Antique Condition
This Japa Mala is being offered in 100% untouched, uncleaned condition. It has NOT been cleaned, polished, treated, or altered since it came into my possession.
There is visible accumulation within the natural surfaces of the seeds, including what appears to be embedded skin oils, perspiration, dust, incense residue, and other material accumulated through prolonged handling and use. These features have been left completely undisturbed. I do not recommend cleaning or polishing this piece, as doing so could alter or remove evidence of its age, use, and history.
Estate Provenance
This Japa Mala was discovered tucked inside a vintage estate collection of global beads. It was found among the collection rather than recently assembled or intentionally aged for resale.
The overall construction and degree of wear are consistent with a late 19th- to very early 20th-century Tibetan Buddhist Japa Mala, although an exact date cannot be established from the object alone.
This is a genuinely aged and extensively handled devotional object, retaining many of its original components and visible physical evidence of its history.
The completeness of the 108-bead strand, counters, guru bead, original cord, and Vajra finial make this an especially interesting example for collectors of Tibetan Buddhist devotional objects, antique malas, Asian religious artifacts, and historical ethnographic material.
My highest hope is that this Japa Mala finds its way to a home, practitioner, or collector who will honor and preserve its history with the reverence it deserves. It is being offered exactly as discovered — 100% untouched and uncleaned — so that its present condition, patina, wear, and accumulated history can remain intact.
Please study all photographs carefully. The photographs are an important part of the description and show the bead surfaces, patina, cord wear, counters, finial, and areas of accumulated material in detail.
A remarkable surviving example with visible physical evidence of its age, construction, and prolonged devotional use.
