Ritual Dagger Called Phurbu Tibet End Of XIXth - Beginning Of XXth Century

Ritual DAGGER called Phurbu Tibet End of XIXth - beginning of XXth century Wood H .: 30.5; L .: 5.5; Thickness: 5.5 cm This wooden dagger with shiny patina is made up of a short three-sided "blade" ending in a point. Each of the sides is engraved with a couple of intertwined naga snakes, the head facing the top of the dagger. The handle is occupied by four rings engraved with frieze patterns, topped by a series of four faces. The phurbu are linked to Buddhist beliefs. Indeed, the three sides of the blade refer to the destruction of ignorance, attachment and aversion but also to the mastery of the three times and the three worlds. These ritual daggers also had the ability to be able to nail demons. Text and photos © FCP CORIDON