A Kartika with vajra handle, Tibet area, Qing dynasty, 19th century

cast and chased bronze ritual knife, the crescent-shaped blade decorated in relief with flames and wrathful deities, the handle formed as a double vajra symbolizing spiritual power. A Tibetan Buddhist ritual implement representing the severing of ignorance and attachment.

藏 铜制金刚柄嘎巴拉刀

h cm 16