Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

kronckew · 25th February 2011, 08:17 PM

the grasping hand has it's fingers folded in a classic hindu/buddhist mudra (hand gesture) either apana or karana... the three faces normally seen as the pommel seem to be stylized in the corners of the blade ricasso area, the elephant head (ganesh) pommel is definitely unusual.

the ref. i gave above notes a buffalo headed purba as part of a set of 12 each with a diffrent animals head, used in purification rituals.

the apana and karana mudras are associated with casting out demons and sickness.

if not a phurba, it does appear to be a ritual knife of some sort.

would like to see the other side of the blade, below the back of the hand.

25th February 2011, 08:17 PM	#6
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,224	the grasping hand has it's fingers folded in a classic hindu/buddhist mudra (hand gesture) either apana or karana... the three faces normally seen as the pommel seem to be stylized in the corners of the blade ricasso area, the elephant head (ganesh) pommel is definitely unusual. the ref. i gave above notes a buffalo headed purba as part of a set of 12 each with a diffrent animals head, used in purification rituals. the apana and karana mudras are associated with casting out demons and sickness. if not a phurba, it does appear to be a ritual knife of some sort. would like to see the other side of the blade, below the back of the hand. Last edited by kronckew; 25th February 2011 at 08:56 PM.