A COPPER-INLAID IRON PHURBHA, TIBET, 15TH-16TH CENTURYThe tripartite blade issuing from the fangs of a makara and with snakes meandering down the sides, the mid-section of biconical form with lappets framed on both ends by pierced endless knots, rising to the head of a wrathful deity with circular eyes, the hair tied in a high chignon and surmounted by a skull crown, inlaid in copper to the head of the makara and at the connecting element above.Provenance: British trade. Condition: Very good condition with expected traces of use, old wear, some corrosion, few nicks and dents, light surface scratches, and casting flaws.Weight: 351.2 g Dimensions: Length 25.9 cmThe phurbha is thought to be the only implement capable of transmuting the powerful negative energy of vice and egocentrism into benevolent compassion, see Rhie & Thurman, Worlds of Transformation, New York, 1999, page 435. According to legend, Padmasambhava introduced the magic dagger to Tibet to subdue forces hostile to Buddhism. It is the embodiment of Vajrakila, who is one of the eight Herukas (wrathful deities) of the Nyingma Mahayoga.Auction result comparison:Type: Closely relatedAuction: Sotheby’s New York, 17 March 2015, lot 1042Price: USD 27,500 or approx. EUR 32,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writingDescription: Two iron phurbha with copper inlay, Tibet, ca. 16th CenturyExpert remark: Compare the closely related form, decoration, and material. Note the size (34.3 cm) and that the lot also comprises a smaller phurbha.Auction result comparison:Type: RelatedAuction: Bonhams New York, 17 March 2014, lot 23Price: USD 10,000 or approx. EUR 11,800 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writingDescription: An Iron Vajrakila Purbha, Tibet, circa 13th centuryExpert remark: Compare the related form, decoration, and material. Note the size (35.6 cm).十五至十六世紀西藏鐵錯銅普巴金剛橛三棱鉄匕首從摩迦儸的尖牙中伸出，蛇從兩側蜿蜒而下，雙錐形的中間部分，兩側是兩個球形“無盡結”，直到大眼圓睜的忿怒相神頭上，發成高髻，忿怒護法神，頭戴骷髏冠。 來源：英國古玩交易。 品相：狀況極好，有使用痕跡、磨損、一些腐蝕、少量刻痕和凹痕、輕微的表面劃痕和鑄造缺陷。 重量：351.2 克 尺寸：長25.9 厘米 Phurbha，藏傳佛教儀式中的匕首，被認為是唯一能夠將邪惡和自我中心主義的強大負能量轉化為仁慈同情心的工具，見 《Rhie & Thurman，Worlds of Transformation》，紐約，1999年，圖435。相傳，蓮花生大士將金鋼鐝匕首引入西藏，以製服敵對佛教的勢力。它是寧瑪派大瑜伽部八尊忿怒本尊之一金剛杵的化身。拍賣結果比較： 形制：非常相近 拍賣：紐約蘇富比，2015年3月17日，lot 1042 價格：USD 27,500（相當於今日EUR 32,500） 描述：兩件約十六世紀西藏鐵錯銅普巴金剛橛 專家評論：比較非常相近的外形、裝飾和材料。請注意尺寸 (34.3 厘米) 和此有一件較小的普巴金剛橛。 拍賣結果比較： 形制：相近 拍賣：紐約邦瀚斯，2014年3月17日，lot 23 價格：USD 10,000（相當於今日EUR 11,800） 描述：約十三世紀西藏鐵普巴金剛橛 專家評論：比較相近的外形、裝飾和材料。請注意尺寸 (35.6 厘米)。