The Spiritual Daggers of the High Himalayas : Phurba and Kartrika .

wilked aka Khun Deng · 8th December 2004, 12:30 PM

Thanks Radu for this thread I had wondered what these were. I will reiterate your point on the fakes, the markets in Thailand were flooded, and I mean flooded with these pieces. Some shops had nothing but "genuine Nepalese crafts". I saw foriegners buying these up by the dozen and what would someone do with that many of the same thing - sell it on ebay. Thanks again.

spiral · 8th December 2004, 06:53 PM

Great thread Radu!

Heres a small iron phurba & an old Tamang shamans drum out of my Nepalese collection. {Also a photo of a Tamang Shaman with a similar drum.}

The handle of the drum is like a large phurba with the same faces, makara ,snakes , thunderbolts etc.

I understand phurbas take something of the spirits they have pinned into themselves, & become entitys in thier own right.

Spiral

Battara · 9th December 2004, 09:06 AM

Oh you're not kidding about the fakes. My first rip off (and only so far) in weaponry collecting was buying a fake for $200.

My fault for not doing enough of my research. Resold it for $75 (the real value I found out). Now I have a better piece, but it took lots of research and scrutinizing the true work. Will post it soon (I promise).

Battara · 20th December 2004, 10:48 PM

As promised, here are some pictures of my kartika (just found them in our move to the new house

). It is made of bronze with gilding to parts and has an iron blade (unsharpened). A heavy piece:

Bill M · 7th April 2005, 12:28 PM

Here are a few ritual pieces I have. Got some of them almost 30 years ago. The mask is a recent addition, but still old.

The mask is made from a giant mushroom. Not sure it is Tibetan, may be Nepalese, but I like it. Wife snagged it for her kitchen gallery.

BSMStar · 15th April 2005, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiral

Heres a small iron phurba & an old Tamang shamans drum out of my Nepalese collection.

The handle of the drum is like a large phurba with the same faces, makara ,snakes , thunderbolts etc.

I understand phurbas take something of the spirits they have pinned into themselves, & become entitys in thier own right.

Spiral

Aren't they used to "block" or repeal (bad) spirits as well??

spiral · 17th April 2005, 10:42 AM

Yes thats my understanding as well Bsmstar, & those spirits are then trapped within it.

I must say I havent studdied hindu/buddhist/shamanic theology in any great depth though, just stuff Ive heard from those who have.

It would be nice to know more.

Spiral

8th December 2004, 12:30 PM	#1
wilked aka Khun Deng Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Oahu, Hawaii Posts: 166	Fascinating Thanks Radu for this thread I had wondered what these were. I will reiterate your point on the fakes, the markets in Thailand were flooded, and I mean flooded with these pieces. Some shops had nothing but "genuine Nepalese crafts". I saw foriegners buying these up by the dozen and what would someone do with that many of the same thing - sell it on ebay. Thanks again.

8th December 2004, 06:53 PM	#2
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Great thread Radu! Heres a small iron phurba & an old Tamang shamans drum out of my Nepalese collection. {Also a photo of a Tamang Shaman with a similar drum.} The handle of the drum is like a large phurba with the same faces, makara ,snakes , thunderbolts etc. I understand phurbas take something of the spirits they have pinned into themselves, & become entitys in thier own right. Spiral Attached Images

20th December 2004, 10:48 PM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	As promised, here are some pictures of my kartika (just found them in our move to the new house ). It is made of bronze with gilding to parts and has an iron blade (unsharpened). A heavy piece: Attached Images

7th April 2005, 12:28 PM	#5
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	Tibetan Ritual pieces Here are a few ritual pieces I have. Got some of them almost 30 years ago. The mask is a recent addition, but still old. The mask is made from a giant mushroom. Not sure it is Tibetan, may be Nepalese, but I like it. Wife snagged it for her kitchen gallery. Attached Images

9th December 2004, 09:06 AM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	Oh you're not kidding about the fakes. My first rip off (and only so far) in weaponry collecting was buying a fake for $200. My fault for not doing enough of my research. Resold it for $75 (the real value I found out). Now I have a better piece, but it took lots of research and scrutinizing the true work. Will post it soon (I promise).

17th April 2005, 10:42 AM	#7
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Yes thats my understanding as well Bsmstar, & those spirits are then trapped within it. I must say I havent studdied hindu/buddhist/shamanic theology in any great depth though, just stuff Ive heard from those who have. It would be nice to know more. Spiral