Page 59 - Bonhams Presencer Buddhist Art Collection Oct. 2 2018
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A SILVER ALLOY PURBHA AND COPPER ALLOY VAJRA According to legend, when Padmasambhava founded Buddhism in
WITH SKULLS Tibet, he used a purbha (ritual peg) to dissipate obstructive forces.
TIBET, CIRCA 16TH/17TH CENTURY The teachings of the purbha’s wrathful functions are addressed in the
Himalayan Art Resources item nos.61822 & 61823 Vajrakilaya Tantra. Its tripartite blade symbolizes its capacity to sever
Purbha: 19.5 cm (7 3/4 in.) long; the three roots of karmic poison: ignorance, greed, and aggression.
Vajra: 14.5 cm (5 3/4 in.) long The accompanying nine-pronged vajra has a rare skull motif around
the grip, which suggests it was likely fashioned for wrathful ritual
HK$35,000 - 45,000 activities as well. The purbha is finely executed with slender lotus grip
and a skull below the vajra-poll. Compare similar treatment of the grip
with another a gilded purbha in the Rubin Museum of Art, New York
西藏 約十六/十七世紀 銀合金金剛橛與銅金剛杵 (HAR no. 65489), and sold at Christie’s, New York, 31 March 2005,
lot 145.
Provenance
Private European Collection, 1970s/80s
THE PRESENCER COLLECTION OF BUDDHIST ART | 57
