This remarkable painted wood dagger is a phurbu, a ritual implement which is the embodiment of Vajrakila, a powerful Buddhist deity called to overpower evil forces. It is used during special ceremonies where the officiating lama (priest or monk) will use it to pierce a dough or paper figure which represents the embodiment of evil, and eliminates the malevolent force. This particular phurbu was carved by a highly-skilled sculptor. The three wrathful faces of Vajrakila are menacing - the curling eyebrows, moustache, and beard spark with flames, while the mouth opens to reveal ivory fangs. Further down the hilt, entwined serpents emerge from grimacing creatures - these are makaras, mythical water-beasts, which are linked with the mythology of Vajrakila.

Phurbu, or ritual dagger
wood with gilding and ivory
1201-1400 CE
Tibet

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