A group of 3 wooden shamanic phurbas. Nepal, Middle Hills.

The ritual ‘dagger’ is used by the Buddhist priest as well as the animist shaman.

Therefore sought after by collectors of classical Asian art as well as collectors of tribal art.

This ritual implement is used, in general, to keep evil away. Usual it has 3 parts.

A crown (head), which consists of 3 mask-like faces sometimes with a human (shaman) or animal on top.

A middle part (body) in the form of a ‘vajra’ (diamond or lighting bolt) with in the centre, the most auspicious part of the

phura, the ‘eternal knot’. This part of the phurba is often covered with cloth. The shaman does  not want to ‘pollute’ the

knot with his body.

The blade, with generaly a triangular form showing snakes or, like in this case; Makara.

A mythological monster. Also too ward off evil. This 3 great objects were collected in Kathmandu. Early 20th century.

23cm.  Price: € 750 (for one; 300)