Rare Large Ceremonial Antique Winged Deity Shaman Phurba
SOLD
Rare Large Winged Deity Phurba
Size 33 x 16 cm (11 x 6 ½ inches) weight 258 grams (9 oz)
Rare Large Winged Deity Phurba
Size 33 x 16 cm (11 x 6 ½ inches) weight 258 grams (9 oz)
This is a large and exceptionally rare antique carved wooden shaman phurba depicting a 3-faced wrathful winged deity with 6 arms. Two hands hold a lotus between them in prayer, while the others hold a Buddhist bell and dorje, prayer-wheel, and trident respectively. The deity wears a 5-headed crown topped with a dorje trident, while the blade features a pair of entwined Nagas enclosing a small head.
This extraordinary phurba was not carved in the round. It is very frontal and has a plain featureless back. However, it was clearly meant to be hand-held and might have been employed as a powerful ceremonial symbol rather than as a specific shamanic tool. A piece of twine wrapped around the neck suggests that it was hung against a wall when not in use.
It is carved from a single piece of wood and is in excellent museum quality condition.
Undoubtedly one of the finest and most interesting antique shaman phurba I have come across, powerful and highly collectable!