20th century AD. A bronze purba formed as a central bulb surmounted by three addorsed grotesque crowned heads beneath a tiered horse-head finial; below, a triangular-section point with serpent-heads and tongues to each face. 836 grams, 38cm (15"). From a central London collection formed between 1990-2000. The Phurba is a Tantric ritual dagger that is used in the subjugation of demons and negative energies. The top of this example is decorated with the heads of Hiyagriva and a horse head which is his symbol; his name means Horse Necked One. It is believed in Tibetan Buddhism that the sound of a horse neighing pierces the false appearance of inherent reality.

Fine condition.