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 gDimensions: Length 25.9 cmThe phurbha is thought to be the only implement capable of transmuting the powerful negative energy of vice and egocentrism into benevolentpassion, 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 resultparison: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:pare the closely related form, decoration, and material. Note the size (34.3 cm) and that the lot alsoprises a smaller phurbha.Auction resultparison:Type: RelatedAuction: 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:pare 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。