Vintage Tibetan Prayer Wheel

This is a Tibetan Buddhist prayer wheel, a handheld device traditionally used in religious practice. Made of metal, with intricate designs and inlaid turquoise-like stones. It has a handle, cylindrical rotating chamber, and a weight (or counterweight) on a chain. Inside the Wheel: The disassembled photo shows a mantra scroll found inside the cylinder. This is typical for Tibetan prayer wheels; the scrolls are usually printed with the Om Mani Padme Hum mantra repeated many times. The Scroll: The paper is visibly aged and worn, but you can make out Tibetan script. This likely repeats the Om Mani Padme Hum mantra, a central prayer in Tibetan Buddhism believed to bring compassion and peace. Use: Meant to be spun clockwise, each spin is believed to have the same effect as orally reciting the prayer. Often used during meditation or walking.