Old Tibetan Phurba for comment or information

Emanuel · 2nd November 2006, 02:08 AM

Hi David,
Very interesting phur-pa. I've ignored these so far, but reading about them has kindled my curiosity..they're fascinating artefacts. I've found a very detailed article on them: The Phur-Pa, Tibetan Ritual Daggers (1975 Huntington, John C.)
Some of the images in the article are somewhat similar to your example. The lotus leaves, the lower triangular blad ena dthe deity head are clear, but the upper part is indeed strange. The deity heads are indicated as being Bon-po...here are the pics, I could send you the article if you wish...it's very large.
All the best,
Emanuel

Tim Simmons · 2nd November 2006, 07:17 AM

Good pictures! Looks like it is a Phurba. The pic on the right although smaller seems to tie up all the lose ends so to speak.

katana · 7th December 2006, 03:34 PM

Found this image...not very good quality (the picture) but shows a larger Phurba made of wood, more ornately carved but of similar size.

Emanuel · 7th December 2006, 07:50 PM

Hi David,

I saw an antique shop in Toronto that featured lots of phurpa and other Tibetan daggers. What struck me is that in most examples, the lotus petals were fully pierced from the cylindrical body of the dagger. In your piece, they are just rounded protrusions. It's a peculiar feature...I'll ask to take some pictures next time I pass by there. I also saw some fantastic examples carved from rock-crystal...quartz I guess.

All the best,
Emanuel

katana · 7th December 2006, 10:09 PM

Hi Emanuel,
thats very kind of you.... thanks

Regards David

2nd November 2006, 02:08 AM	#1
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Hi David, Very interesting phur-pa. I've ignored these so far, but reading about them has kindled my curiosity..they're fascinating artefacts. I've found a very detailed article on them: The Phur-Pa, Tibetan Ritual Daggers (1975 Huntington, John C.) Some of the images in the article are somewhat similar to your example. The lotus leaves, the lower triangular blad ena dthe deity head are clear, but the upper part is indeed strange. The deity heads are indicated as being Bon-po...here are the pics, I could send you the article if you wish...it's very large. All the best, Emanuel Attached Images

7th December 2006, 03:34 PM	#3
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Found this image...not very good quality (the picture) but shows a larger Phurba made of wood, more ornately carved but of similar size. Attached Images

2nd November 2006, 07:17 AM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,844	Good pictures! Looks like it is a Phurba. The pic on the right although smaller seems to tie up all the lose ends so to speak.

7th December 2006, 07:50 PM	#4
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Hi David, I saw an antique shop in Toronto that featured lots of phurpa and other Tibetan daggers. What struck me is that in most examples, the lotus petals were fully pierced from the cylindrical body of the dagger. In your piece, they are just rounded protrusions. It's a peculiar feature...I'll ask to take some pictures next time I pass by there. I also saw some fantastic examples carved from rock-crystal...quartz I guess. All the best, Emanuel

7th December 2006, 10:09 PM	#5
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Emanuel, thats very kind of you.... thanks Regards David