Old Tibetan Phurba for comment or information

Rich · 22nd October 2006, 07:40 PM

I've several antique Tibetan purbu. None look anything like this. IMHO, the
carving and design looks more African in origin.

Rich

Tim Simmons · 22nd October 2006, 07:45 PM

I do not think it is African. I will hold back untill we see some better pics but I am glad you think the same. The style of the fish and the overall decoration scream something else to me.

Bill M · 22nd October 2006, 09:45 PM

I agree this piece has several stylistic differences with Tibetan and Nepalese phurbas. The center section outlined does resemble the dorje, but I think only a resemblance. The faces on the sides look like African Dan masks.

Quite a strange piece.

katana · 22nd October 2006, 10:12 PM

Its really strange....when I first viewed this I actually thought African....when I received it the fish carving seemed .Australasian...I've searched other examples of Tibetan Phurba and there were other examples of the fish carving.

I am told that this was brought back from Tibet by the buyer....and is not a tourist item...

Bill M · 23rd October 2006, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katana

Its really strange....when I first viewed this I actually thought African....when I received it the fish carving seemed .Australasian...I've searched other examples of Tibetan Phurba and there were other examples of the fish carving.

I am told that this was brought back from Tibet by the buyer....and is not a tourist item...

Don't think it is a phurba, though many of them are made of wood. At 30" long it would be MUCH bigger than any I have seen, usually they are no more than ten to eleven inches long.

There are some Tibetan and Nepalese shaman drum handles that get longer, but I don't think this is a drum handle either. Most of these handles are no more than about twenty inches long though I do have a temple drum that has a longer handle. But it is thicker.

How thick is your piece?

Does the pointed end have a metal cap?

Perhaps this is some kind of wand???

Something about it disturbs me.

spiral · 23rd October 2006, 10:59 AM

Looks full of classical Nepali {perhaps Tamang.} shamanic symbolism to me, Havent seen one that size before though.

Almost looks like bottom half is standerd Phurba, & top half is whats unusual.

Spiral

katana · 23rd October 2006, 10:57 PM

Thanks Spiral....good call....you certainly seem to be in the right area

I found two images of 'full sized' masks from that area....not identical to those on the 'phurba' but demonstrates similarities... On the picture below them I've indicated where it feels comfortable to hold (just feels right ..and 'rub marks' seem to confirm this) Feels more like a Phurba 'sword' or 'spear'...than dagger.
Tim I will try and post daylight pics soon, (if the rain stops

) Very intriqued about this piece...cannot seem to find a similar sized one anywhere on the web.....

23rd October 2006, 10:57 PM	#7
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Thanks Spiral....good call....you certainly seem to be in the right area I found two images of 'full sized' masks from that area....not identical to those on the 'phurba' but demonstrates similarities... On the picture below them I've indicated where it feels comfortable to hold (just feels right ..and 'rub marks' seem to confirm this) Feels more like a Phurba 'sword' or 'spear'...than dagger. Tim I will try and post daylight pics soon, (if the rain stops ) Very intriqued about this piece...cannot seem to find a similar sized one anywhere on the web..... Attached Images

22nd October 2006, 07:40 PM	#1
Rich Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: comfortably at home, USA Posts: 432	I've several antique Tibetan purbu. None look anything like this. IMHO, the carving and design looks more African in origin. Rich

22nd October 2006, 07:45 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,871	I do not think it is African. I will hold back untill we see some better pics but I am glad you think the same. The style of the fish and the overall decoration scream something else to me.

22nd October 2006, 09:45 PM	#3
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	I agree this piece has several stylistic differences with Tibetan and Nepalese phurbas. The center section outlined does resemble the dorje, but I think only a resemblance. The faces on the sides look like African Dan masks. Quite a strange piece.

22nd October 2006, 10:12 PM	#4
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Its really strange....when I first viewed this I actually thought African....when I received it the fish carving seemed .Australasian...I've searched other examples of Tibetan Phurba and there were other examples of the fish carving. I am told that this was brought back from Tibet by the buyer....and is not a tourist item...

23rd October 2006, 10:59 AM	#6
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Looks full of classical Nepali {perhaps Tamang.} shamanic symbolism to me, Havent seen one that size before though. Almost looks like bottom half is standerd Phurba, & top half is whats unusual. Spiral