PH400 Double horse rider phurba, Himalaya; Nepal
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Directory: Vintage Arts: Regional Art: Asian: Indian Subcontinent: Himalayas: Pre 1980: Item # 1450264
Directory: Vintage Arts: Regional Art: Asian: Indian Subcontinent: Himalayas: Pre 1980: Item # 1450264
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This type of phurba shows tall, single or twin riders. They all seem to originate from Langtang District and are attributed to the Tamang people. The iconography of the Hayagriva horse is often found in Buddhist iconography. Here, the horses have riders who are the shamans; the mythical horse with its supernatural power will allow the shaman to move around the dangerous invisible world of demons and other evil spirits. It is likely that this phurba is not used as the smaller ones are for fighting and killing evil spirits, but rather arranged on an altar as support when telling mantras. The tip, which is generally in the majority of phurbu, a triangular blade; is a 4-sided model with a stylized trunk surmounting a discreet Makara mouth. On each side, we can see 2 smiling faces, one eye of which is the moon, the second being the sun. Other animist symbols snake, holly pot and trisul are also carved. The junction between the jumpers and the tip is square with 3 faces of ancestors (one has been lightly bitten by mice), on the back is an endless knot. This sample may not be very old, probably from the mid to late 20th century, but the design and styling is good and everything looks similar to the apparently much older and expensive ones. Good condition, signs of wear and significant soot patina, second part of the 20th. Total H 40 cm, Horse + rider: 22 cm. Presented on an iron stand.
This type of phurba shows tall, single or twin riders. They all seem to originate from Langtang District and are attributed to the Tamang people. The iconography of the Hayagriva horse is often found in Buddhist iconography. Here, the horses have riders who are the shamans; the mythical horse with its supernatural power will allow the shaman to move around the dangerous invisible world of demons and other evil spirits. It is likely that this phurba is not used as the smaller ones are for fighting and killing evil spirits, but rather arranged on an altar as support when telling mantras. The tip, which is generally in the majority of phurbu, a triangular blade; is a 4-sided model with a stylized trunk surmounting a discreet Makara mouth. On each side, we can see 2 smiling faces, one eye of which is the moon, the second being the sun. Other animist symbols snake, holly pot and trisul are also carved. The junction between the jumpers and the tip is square with 3 faces of ancestors (one has been lightly bitten by mice), on the back is an endless knot. This sample may not be very old, probably from the mid to late 20th century, but the design and styling is good and everything looks similar to the apparently much older and expensive ones. Good condition, signs of wear and significant soot patina, second part of the 20th. Total H 40 cm, Horse + rider: 22 cm. Presented on an iron stand.
