Staffs of Office

2 of 2 (non-matching) monk-magistrate's or shalngo's staff of office. Long square staff of iron covered with damascene work of scrolling foliage and 'shou' or long life symbols. Inset into the staff at the centre are four gilt brass panels, there is one on each side of the staff that are separated into five medallions (that are flatter than the previous staff). The panels are decorated with designs of the Seven Treasures of Royalty and the Eight Auspicious Symbols, the centre design of each panel being the garuda or khyung, dragon, snow lion and the tiger respectively. An additional single panel sits at the front of the staff in the same openwork design featuring Tara sitting in royal ease pose with the kirtimukha or 'face of glory' below her and a bowl of jewels above. Above this panel are attached red and white glass symbols of the sun-moon emblem, nyi-da. The finial of the post is also finished with the moon and sun or nyi-da. The pointed end of the staff is now mounted into a three tiered wooden stand. A handle sits at a right angle to the staff and is finished with a red wool and red silk loop fastened with a knot of leather.