Interesting Phurba

Andy Stevens · 4th August 2010, 08:20 PM

Here's another one oft our more unusual pieces, bought on a whim and for a silly low price. The question is, have we got a good one? Our own web based research has yielded very little worthwhile information on these mystical weapons other than that there are a lot of repo's coming out of China/Tibet at the moment. We have seen a few of these at antique markets and they often look shiny, cheap and of recent manufacture although often with crude attempts at false ageing. The example we picture appears to be of some age and shows good detail in the casting. Does the iron rod running through the centre signify anything? The patination and verdigris appear genuine to our eye.

Length: 38cm

Weight: 900g

Thanks in advance for all info recieved. Andy and Karina

Battara · 5th August 2010, 01:20 AM

Well, the patina is not that great and the bottom of the piece should be iron, not brass/bronze. The chasing is not that great to my eye either.

Not sure of this is a repo or not, but I do not have a lot of faith in it.

Tatyana Dianova · 5th August 2010, 08:56 AM

Hi Andy,
Sorry to say it, but to my eye it looks like a cheap repro too...
Here is an interesting and beautiful Phurba example, which I have stumbled upon recently (it is in private museum in Ukraine):
http://www.museummilitary.com/?p=4&art=34
(The article about it is also very interesting, in Russian :-)

VANDOO · 5th August 2010, 09:24 PM

OLD OR NOT IT IS DEFINITELY WORTH HAVING FOR A SILLY LOW PRICE.

THE ONE FROM THE MUSEUM IN THE UKRANE IS THE FANCYEST ONE I HAVE EVER SEEN. WISH I COULD READ RUSSIAN TO SEE HOW OLD IT IS AND WHAT ITS MADE OF AND ANY OTHER PROVENANCE.

Atlantia · 5th August 2010, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VANDOO

OLD OR NOT IT IS DEFINITELY WORTH HAVING FOR A SILLY LOW PRICE.

THE ONE FROM THE MUSEUM IN THE UKRANE IS THE FANCYEST ONE I HAVE EVER SEEN. WISH I COULD READ RUSSIAN TO SEE HOW OLD IT IS AND WHAT ITS MADE OF AND ANY OTHER PROVENANCE.

Translated page

Battara · 6th August 2010, 03:03 AM

Now that one is great and made for nobility. Most of the real phurbas are not as ornate, but have the same craftsmanship (good chasing work, good casting, etc).

The one that started this thread is not of that quality and others like it from China are not of that caliber. It is sad that they are getting more accurate in their work, but not in quality.

4th August 2010, 08:20 PM	#1
Andy Stevens Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: London Posts: 155	Interesting Phurba Here's another one oft our more unusual pieces, bought on a whim and for a silly low price. The question is, have we got a good one? Our own web based research has yielded very little worthwhile information on these mystical weapons other than that there are a lot of repo's coming out of China/Tibet at the moment. We have seen a few of these at antique markets and they often look shiny, cheap and of recent manufacture although often with crude attempts at false ageing. The example we picture appears to be of some age and shows good detail in the casting. Does the iron rod running through the centre signify anything? The patination and verdigris appear genuine to our eye. Length: 38cm Weight: 900g Thanks in advance for all info recieved. Andy and Karina Attached Images

5th August 2010, 01:20 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,221	Well, the patina is not that great and the bottom of the piece should be iron, not brass/bronze. The chasing is not that great to my eye either. Not sure of this is a repo or not, but I do not have a lot of faith in it.

5th August 2010, 08:56 AM	#3
Tatyana Dianova Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 695	Hi Andy, Sorry to say it, but to my eye it looks like a cheap repro too... Here is an interesting and beautiful Phurba example, which I have stumbled upon recently (it is in private museum in Ukraine): http://www.museummilitary.com/?p=4&art=34 (The article about it is also very interesting, in Russian :-)

5th August 2010, 09:24 PM	#4
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	OLD OR NOT IT IS DEFINITELY WORTH HAVING FOR A SILLY LOW PRICE. THE ONE FROM THE MUSEUM IN THE UKRANE IS THE FANCYEST ONE I HAVE EVER SEEN. WISH I COULD READ RUSSIAN TO SEE HOW OLD IT IS AND WHAT ITS MADE OF AND ANY OTHER PROVENANCE.

6th August 2010, 03:03 AM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,221	Now that one is great and made for nobility. Most of the real phurbas are not as ornate, but have the same craftsmanship (good chasing work, good casting, etc). The one that started this thread is not of that quality and others like it from China are not of that caliber. It is sad that they are getting more accurate in their work, but not in quality.