Rare & Intrically Carved Antique Shaman Phurba

Rare Carved Rosewood Shaman Phurba

Length 10 ¾ inches (27.5 cm)

This antique carved rosewood shaman phurba is without doubt one of the finest I have come across in all my years of collecting these rare ritual power tools. Its detailed carved surfaces are quite exceptional.

At the top of the hilt are the three faces of a crowned deity, each with a different expression…happy, sad, and angry. An iron ring in the crown contains two lengths of chain and a number of old twisted rags, each torn from the clothing of a client for shamanic ritual healing.  

The hilt is carved in the form of a dorje or thunderbolt set between endless knots, below which is a three-sided blade with each facet differently and beautifully carved, and separated by a trident.

Side 1 depicts the shaman himself, the first I have seen carved into a blade. Above the shaman’s head is a carving of a ritual bhumpa, and beneath him a trident.

Side 2 depicts the moon, a bird, and a pair of entwined snakes or nagas.

Side 3 depicts the sun, a cup and a bowl, and a pair of entwined snakes or nagas.

The tip of the blade has been wrapped in metal to prevent the wood from splitting when the phurba is thrust into the ground.

This wonderful antique phurba is in excellent museum quality condition, and would stand out in any collection.