Phur-pa (ritual dagger)

Culture Tibetan

Date1800s

Mediumcast brass

Dimensions26.7 cm (10 1/2 in.), 2 lb, 4 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.113

DescriptionSolid brass, heavy, cast in a single piece with lost-wax process--the marks of the shaping tools can be seen clearly on the blade. Hair-like crest across top; below are three bearded faces, with a gap between the rear two; around the upper edge of these faces are stylized skulls (cf. similar examples where the skulls are explicit). Below is geometrically balustered grip; below is blade, issuing from the beaks of three garuda heads; each face of the blade bears an intertwined head and tail of a snake (almost certainly nagas).
Label TextAround the world, arms have been attributed with magical or spiritual properties, whether the Crusader's cross-hilted sword, the split-bladed Zulfiqar of Islam, or Kusanagi, the imperial sword associated with Japan's Shinto deities. The Tibetan phur-pa was used in the rituals of Tantric Buddhism, and was attributed with the power to destroy demons.ProvenancePurchased by the Museum from American Art Association, Anderson Galleries (NYC) at Macomber sale, lot #242, December 10-12, 1936. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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