Rare Antique Tibetan Male & Female Shaman Phurba – Spirit Catchers

Rare Pair of Antique Tibetan Shaman Phurba – Spirit Catchers

Length: 28 cm and 26.5 cm (11 and 10.5 inches) Respectively

This is a very rare antique set of 2 male and female Tibetan shaman phurba in carved wood.  According to my informant they are a pair of phurba ‘spirit catchers’ employed by shaman to pin down particularly powerful and troublesome spirits.

The naked male stands with folded arms and measures 28cm (11 inches) from top to bottom.  A curved metal machete, with a ribbon of talismanic cloth attached, projects from his head.  His lower legs are wrapped in a protective metal casing for pushing into the ground.

The female is bare-breasted and wears a skirt. She measures 26.5cm (10 ½ inches) from top to bottom.  Her arms are bent with her hands on her shoulders as though she were carrying a load. An iron ring with red thread is attached to her head.  And stands on a rectangular pedestal below which is a tapering metal spike for pushing into the ground.

Individually and together they possess a powerful and purposeful aura.  They are in excellent condition and highly collectable.

RESERVED (AC)