Rare Antique Jhakri/Shaman Phurba – Praying Deities on Tigers

This is a particularly interesting antique Himalayan Jhakri or Shaman Phurba.  It features 3 praying deities on the backs of 3 tigers, which in turn stand upon the heads of 3 deities.  Each head is separated by different carved motifs.  The place where one might expect a forth head to be has been filled with a large sun motif.  This is very unusual in that it makes the phurba appear frontal, with one head facing forward and the two either side looking to the right and left, with the sun at the back.

The hilt below the deities heads has been tightly bound with ritual cloth beneath which is a dorje set between two carved endless knots.  I am unsure of the purpose of the rag bindings commonly found on antique phurba, but I personally believe them to be talismanic.  Some collectors and modern-day practitioners prefer to remove it so that the phurba can be seen in its entirety.

This antique shaman phurba terminates in a typical 3-sided blade with each facet featuring a pair of entwined snakes (Nagas).

This type of phurba would have been carved by a shaman for their personal use in transformational energetic work, healing, and protection rituals during their life-time.  It is in an excellent state of preservation, and has an attractive aged patina acquired from long use. 

Note: Most phurba on the market today are modern reproductions faked to appear old, and it takes a keen eye and considerable experience to tell the difference.  This interesting old phurba was originally acquired for my personal collection, and not for resale.