phur-ba, ritual dagger; bronze, cast; triangular blade emerges from mouth of boar-like beast, which is surmounted by vajra-like handle toppled by pommel of 3-headed figure, 2 heads of which are fanged, under a round knoblike end; used by monks to exercise demons, or ritual slaying of someone, e.g, an enemy of the doctrine
Donor:
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Ready, Jr. Fund
Collection place:
Tibet
Materials:
Bronze (metal)
Object type:
ethnography
Function:
5.1 Religion and Divination: Objects and garb associated with practices reflecting submission, devotion, obedience, and service to supernatural agencies
Accession date:
November 16, 1970
Department:
Asia (except western Russia)
Loans:
S1975-1976 #97: Kenneth Versand (May 16, 1976–May 16, 1976) and S1987-1988 #4: Bade Museum, Pacific School of Religion (July 15, 1987–September 21, 1987)