Lot 594

Tibetan Bronze Phurba | Mahakala Crown | Intertwined Serpent Blade

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Tibetan Bronze Phurba | Mahakala Crown | Intertwined Serpent Blade

Estimate: $700 - $1,050

Starting Bid: $350

(0 Bids)

June 12, 2026 9:00 AM MDT
Live Auction
Louisville, CO, US

Description:

Tibet, ca. 19th century. Heavy solid cast bronze phurba, having a highly detailed head of Mahacala wearing a multipointed crown with a dorje finial. Triangular blade with relief intertwined serpents. Custom tiered block base.

Ritual utensils are the essential tools of Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism practice, used to drive away the delusions that act as impediments to enlightenment. The phurba (Sanskrit: kila) dagger seen here was designed to symbolically consume the triple poisons of ignorance, greed, and delusion that impede spiritual progress. The phurba is the embodiment of the Vajrakila Buddha, who is empowered to suppress all evil in the world. Its ritual use is first described in the Vajrakilaya Tantra, a Vajrayana text dating to the eighth century or earlier. Size: 9”H x 2”W (22.9 x 5.1cm).

Provenance: Private American collection. Ex. fashion designer Mary McFadden collection, (1938-2024). Objects from the McFadden Collection have been exhibited at institutions including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, and numerous other distinguished museums across the United States and abroad.

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Item # 71784

  • Condition: Black-brown surface patina. Intact, overall excellent condition.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $749 $25
$750 $1,499 $50
$1,500 $2,999 $100
$3,000 $7,499 $250
$7,500 $14,999 $500
$15,000 + $1,000