Artwork preview

Ritual Dagger (Phurba) and Stand

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The image depicts a Ritual Dagger (Phurba) and Stand. The dagger has a triangular base with a square stand featuring an etched pattern. The dagger's blade is triangular and flat with a decorative design. Above the blade is a figure with two bulbous eyes and fangs, and a curved line forming a mouth. This figure has a ribbed middle section and two arms. Above this figure is a ribbed cylindrical section with a decorative top. The top features a red-brown color with a rounded knob and a face with bulging eyes, a flat nose, and a wide mouth. The face has two protruding ears on the sides. The background of the image is gray and white.

Artwork Details

Date
late 14th–early 15th century
Medium
Ebony with polychrome
Culture
Tibet
Dimensions
469 × 625 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette