bronze,Tibet, 17th century,Size: 17 cmA nice example of a cast bronze vajra, in the form of two openwork, cage-like spheres at either end, joined together below two lotus-flower-shaped bases for each sphere. These are separated by a discoid that is the center of the dorje. The dorje, an instantly recognizable symbol of Tibetan Buddhism, represents the moment of Enlightenment. Vajra means both thunderbolt and diamond, symbolizing an irresistible force and indestructibility. In ceremony, the dorje/vajra is almost always paired with a bell.