~ Detail Views ~

This is a nice example of the relatively rare figural style of shaman phurbas from the middle hills of Nepal.  Dark and layered scaly patina reveals application of ritual unguents.  3 tutelary figures stand, bent kneed and back to back around the top, the sides of the blades show typical shamanic themes carved in low relief.  Intertwined Naga (reptillian inter-dimensional being), ritual weapons such as the trisul (trident) and dhanu (bow) are some of the items carved on to the blade faces.

  Those with an interest in phurbas will want to view the video clip of a Nepali shaman subduing obstacles with his phurba in our multi-media section.

multi-media section