Phurpa
| Native Name | Phurpa |
|---|---|
| Object Number: | A1126 |
| Current Location: | Collections Storage |
| Culture: | Tibetan Buddhist |
| Provenience: | Tibet |
| Date Made: | 14th Century - Early 15th Century |
| Early Date: | 1300 |
| Late Date: | 1425 |
| Section: | Asian |
| Materials: | Iron Brass |
| Technique: | Engraved |
| Iconography: | Heads Bird |
| Height: | 3.1 cm |
| Length: | 31.3 cm |
| Credit Line: | Purchased from Alexander Scott, 1914 |
| Other Number: | Getz 242 - Other Number |
Description
Iron phurpha, ceremonial dagger. Four heads at the top with a bird on the knob above. The three edges of the dagger stand for the three virtues. The simple pillar is symbolic of Mount Meru which supposed to be of this shape, tapering towards both ends. The three heads are Vajrapani, Hayagriva, and Kundali. The bird on the top is supposed to be Garuda, the personification of aspiration and righteous ambition. 500-600 years old.
Current & Past Exhibitions:
| Exhibition of Oriental Art (12 Feb 1916) | View Objects in Exhibition |
| Exhibition of the Art of the Far East ( Dec 1914) | View Objects in Exhibition |
Bibliography:
| [Catalogue] Getz, John. 1916. The University Museum Exhibition of Oriental Art.. Philadelphia. The University Museum. Actual Citation : Page/Fig./Plate: No. 242 | View Objects related to this Actual Citation |
| [Article] Scott, Alexander. 1914. "The Alexander Scott Collection". The Museum Journal. Philadelphia. The University Museum. Vol. V. no. 2. pg. 55-114 Actual Citation : Page/Fig./Plate: Fig. 42c | View Objects related to this Actual Citation |
| [Catalogue, Exhibition] University of Pennsylvania, Office of the President. 1914. Catalogue of an Exhibition of the Art of the Far East.. Philadelphia. Actual Citation : Page/Fig./Plate: Pg. 32 No. 16 | View Objects related to this Actual Citation |
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