ཕུར་བ་

A three sided brass dagger (phur ba or dorje phur ba) wrapped in cloth. Though the face of the deity is no longer clearly recognisable, the small horse head at the top of the handle indicates this is the wrathful protector deity Hayagriva (Tib.རྟ་མགྲིན་ Wylie rta mgrin), commonly invoked in Tantric rituals.

Extent: One dagger.

Size and dimensions of original material: 21 cm.

Condition of original material: Wrapped in cloth. Well worn through age and usage, the face of the deity Hayagriva is no longer recognisable.

Custodial history: All the material was passed to the current owner by his father. Nyima Dorje is not a practising chowa but his father, grandfather and great grandfather were well established and well respected practitioners and would travel widely to undertake tantric rituals.

Arrangement: All the material was kept in the prayer room of Nyima Dorje's house (unseen).