Zanpar

251. A wooden zanpar, this example is unusual as some of the carvings are in the positive rather than the usual negative such as you find with intagli .  Tibetans press tsampa (roasted barley flour dough) or butter into these molds. This creates intricately shaped offerings called tormas (sacrificial cakes) or blessed figures. People use them in daily altars, rituals, and healing practices.

Tibet, c1900.

19cm tall