Another very interesting and unusual item

dennee · 2nd April 2006, 11:19 PM

The Sanskrit term for axe is parashu, and similar axes did find their way into Tibetan Buddhism. But such an axe often appears as an attribute of Ganesha (perhaps explaining the trunk-like hilt here).

Jim McDougall · 2nd April 2006, 11:34 PM

Hi Rick,
This certainly does appear like a Tantric ritual weapon, and I am inclined to think Tibetan. The symbolic elements of the motif as mentioned suggest the standard Buddhist/Hindu Tantric forms, the wheel (twelve spokes, nidana in Sanskrit, tendrel in Tibetan), the fish, the lotus.
The axe type blade resembles the 'kattrka', a Tibetan ritual chopper which is used to symbolically 'cut off ignorance' (wouldn't this concept work well these days!!!

The typical form of this ritual weapon however has the semi-circular blade but a handle centrally positioned at the back of the blade. Possibly this may be a more recent, as you note 20th c. , version used as a votive object in ceremonies. Your suggestion of use in dancing or related activity in ritual seems plausible, or sound making rattles or bells also may have been attached.
You really do find unusual objects there Indy!!!

All the best,
Jim

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2nd April 2006, 11:19 PM	#1
dennee Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: College Park, MD Posts: 186	The Sanskrit term for axe is parashu, and similar axes did find their way into Tibetan Buddhism. But such an axe often appears as an attribute of Ganesha (perhaps explaining the trunk-like hilt here).

2nd April 2006, 11:34 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,192	Hi Rick, This certainly does appear like a Tantric ritual weapon, and I am inclined to think Tibetan. The symbolic elements of the motif as mentioned suggest the standard Buddhist/Hindu Tantric forms, the wheel (twelve spokes, nidana in Sanskrit, tendrel in Tibetan), the fish, the lotus. The axe type blade resembles the 'kattrka', a Tibetan ritual chopper which is used to symbolically 'cut off ignorance' (wouldn't this concept work well these days!!! The typical form of this ritual weapon however has the semi-circular blade but a handle centrally positioned at the back of the blade. Possibly this may be a more recent, as you note 20th c. , version used as a votive object in ceremonies. Your suggestion of use in dancing or related activity in ritual seems plausible, or sound making rattles or bells also may have been attached. You really do find unusual objects there Indy!!! All the best, Jim