ENSEMBLE DE TROIS GRANDS PURBHAS EN BOIS POLYCHROME TIBET, XVIIIE/XIXE SIÈCLEENSEMBLE DE TROIS GRANDS PURBHAS EN BOIS POLYCHROMETIBET, XVIIIE/XIXE SIÈCLEHimalayan Art Resources item no. 205210 52 cm (20 1/2 in), the highestA GROUP OF THREE LARGE POLYCHROMED WOOD PURBHASTIBET, 18TH/19TH CENTURY西藏 十八/十九世紀 木雕加彩普巴杵一組三件These three purbhas were almost certainly part of a larger set used for the ritual demarcation of protective boundaries around sacred sites. The finials of the two smaller purbhas were carved in the shape of a flaming chakra. It is surrounded by miniature images of demons executed in gold outline. The finial of the larger purbha is carved on four sides with triratna surmounted by three cintamanis. The hilts of the purbha consist of three polygons separated by two octagons. The upper polygons in each purbha are painted with four Garudas of various colors. The central ones contain four-, five-, six- and eight-spoke wheels (chakras), each pierced with arrows, axes, tridents and other ritual Vajrayana weapons painted in gold. The lower polygons contain images of a snow lion, a tiger, a hyena and a leopard. The octagonal parts of the two smaller purbhas are painted with strings of vajras. The upper octagonal parts of the two smaller purbhas are painted with strings of vajras. The upper octagonal part of the larger purbha contains curious carved "gates", each with a miniature image of a warrior clad in armour and holding a sword and shield. The blade of this purbha is painted with three animals: a wolf, a bear and a hyena. Published:Spink & Sons, Ltd., Mirror of Mind: Art of Vajrayana Buddhism, London, 1995, pp. 78-9, no. 48.Ramon Prats, et.al., Monasterios y lamas del Tibet, Madrid, Fundación "La Caixa", 2000, p. 102, no. 20.Exhibited:Monasterios y lamas del Tibet, Fundación "La Caixa", Madrid, November 2000-January 2001.Provenance:Spink & Son Ltd., London, 1995