BronzeTibet , 19th centuryDimensions: Height 39 cmWeight: 1348,2 gramsA phurba or phurbu is an ancient Tantric ritual object, a necessary tool for a shaman to battle negative and distracting forces. The lower half of the shaft consists of a three sided blade that emerges from the mouth of a makara (mythical aquatic creature) guarding the joint of the hilt and the blade. Then a "vajra" gilt thunderbolt with eight prongs. The finial has three wrathful heads of the phurbu deity, Hayagriva. A horse head is at the top.