Ritual Dagger Called Phurbu - Nepal - Late 19th Century - Early 20th Century

Ritual Dagger Called Phurbu
Highlands region, Nepal
Late 19th - early 20th century 
Wood and fabric 
H.: 25 ; W.: 4.5 cm

This wooden dagger with a shiny patina is composed of a short three-sided blade with a pointed end. Each of the sides is animated by zoomorphic figures: a pair of intertwined naga snakes surmounted by an avian figure, a snake on which the same bird is standing, and, for the third side, a trident of Shiva. 
The handle is occupied by three Mahakala faces and a figure seated in namaste on what appears to be an altar. 

This phurbu retains its coloured cloth ribbons attached to the top of the handle. 

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 daggers, used in Himalayan rituals, also had the ability to nail demons. 

Text and photos © FCP CORIDON

Ref. LP : 3209