Tibetan Item for comment

fearn · 30th November 2012, 08:31 PM

If I can be cynical, here's my take:

The "blade" appears to be some form of Manjusri's flaming sword of wisdom (khadga/prajnakhadga/ye-shes ral-gri). That part may indeed be 200 years old, and who knows where it was found. You can see the remnants of the flame all around the tip. It was then mounted in a deer antler at some point. Whether the person who mounted it meant to make it more useful as a ritual item, or whether it was meant as an, ahem, art piece for those who travel, is something I'm not sure about.

My 0.0000002 cents,

F

Al Shamal · 1st December 2012, 08:08 PM

Shokran for all the comments and also the great research! I do appreciate it!
Here was me thinking it was a glorified leather working tool

but I'm happy with my tantric ritual item

Salam Spiral, ya from my visit earlier this year, i think that % has increased to the high 90's now.... Interestingly after talking to some local curio shop owners there, they said many Tibetans/Chinese have been coming to Nepal to buy back artifacts that previous generations had sold to them.

Glaive203 · 3rd December 2012, 01:14 PM

May be completely wrong, yet this looks like a practical tool rather than a ritual item. Tibetans were great herders of yak, dzo (mixed breed of yak and cattle), cattle and sheep. Hides or pelts for that matter have an inner layer of fat that has to be cut off or they'll rot before they're tanned. This item does not look like it ever had sharp edges and both this fact and the very broad head makes me think this is a fleshing knife for removing that layer of fat.

Al Shamal · 6th December 2012, 11:20 AM

Salam,

I guess in ancient times everyday activities, over a period of time, can develop into spiritual, ritual or religious practices/pursuits

1st December 2012, 08:08 PM	#2
Al Shamal Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: UAE Posts: 32	Wow! Shokran for all the comments and also the great research! I do appreciate it! Here was me thinking it was a glorified leather working tool but I'm happy with my tantric ritual item Salam Spiral, ya from my visit earlier this year, i think that % has increased to the high 90's now.... Interestingly after talking to some local curio shop owners there, they said many Tibetans/Chinese have been coming to Nepal to buy back artifacts that previous generations had sold to them.

30th November 2012, 08:31 PM	#1
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	If I can be cynical, here's my take: The "blade" appears to be some form of Manjusri's flaming sword of wisdom (khadga/prajnakhadga/ye-shes ral-gri). That part may indeed be 200 years old, and who knows where it was found. You can see the remnants of the flame all around the tip. It was then mounted in a deer antler at some point. Whether the person who mounted it meant to make it more useful as a ritual item, or whether it was meant as an, ahem, art piece for those who travel, is something I'm not sure about. My 0.0000002 cents, F

3rd December 2012, 01:14 PM	#3
Glaive203 Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 12	May be completely wrong, yet this looks like a practical tool rather than a ritual item. Tibetans were great herders of yak, dzo (mixed breed of yak and cattle), cattle and sheep. Hides or pelts for that matter have an inner layer of fat that has to be cut off or they'll rot before they're tanned. This item does not look like it ever had sharp edges and both this fact and the very broad head makes me think this is a fleshing knife for removing that layer of fat.

6th December 2012, 11:20 AM	#4
Al Shamal Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: UAE Posts: 32	Salam, I guess in ancient times everyday activities, over a period of time, can develop into spiritual, ritual or religious practices/pursuits