Incredible Bhutanese Hand-Carved Bone Shaman Phurba or Ritual Dagger
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Bhutanese Hand-Carved Bone Shaman Phurba
Length 28cm (11 inches)
Bhutanese Hand-Carved Bone Shaman Phurba
Length 28cm (11 inches)
This incredible hand-carved bone shaman’s phurba or ritual dagger from Bhutan is nothing short of a work of art! It features a superbly carved 3-faced wrathful deity wearing a skull-topped crown, and a dorje hilt comprising a human head set between two endless knots. The hilt ends in a wonderful Makara featuring a mythical horned sea creature, leading to a jagged 3-sided blade decorated with nagas.
This highly original and intricately carved ritual phurba is in perfect condition save for one barely noticable earring that appears to be missing. Its age is unknown but it is unquestionably the finest example of bone carving I have encountered.