A RITUAL DAGGER 'PHUR-BA' Tibet, ca. 16th ct., L. 22,8 cm Bronze, with iron core throughout; tip damaged, revealing the iron core. The stylised horse's head above the crown indicates that the three-faced dagger deity is the Yidam Hayagriva. His faces have similarly shaped wrathful features. The heads are each crowned with a three-pointed diadem. Two differently shaped knots hold a ninefold vajra whose arches are held by opposing lotus leaves. A macara head (sea monster) forms the end of the handle from which the three-edged dagger with stylised snakes protrudes. From the estate of the collection of Thomas Marcotty (1930-2005), published in Marcotty: "Phurpa - Magisches Dolchritual aus Tibet", Fabri Verlag, Ulm, 1997, p. 47 and publ. 'Dolchsegen, Schatz-Texte des tibetische Phur-ba Kultes', with an essay by Thomas Marcotti, photocopied manuscript; Lugano, 1986: p. 38. Tip somewhat damaged, wear