Lot 97d, Auction 4/12/2026: Himalayan Buddhist Ritual Brass Dorje & Kartika Knife

$260.00

In stock

Central Asia, Tibet, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. This pair of Himalayan Buddhist ritual implements includes a double-headed brass dorje (vajra) and an iron-bladed kartika with brass handle. The dorje, a sacred symbol in Tibetan Buddhism and other Vajrayana traditions, is cast in an elegant, ribbed, symmetrical form. Representing the unchanging, eternal nature of the universe, its prongs symbolize the elements of the physical world or the five wisdoms in Buddhist thought, and it is used during prayers, rituals, and ceremonies to invoke blessings, protection, and spiritual strength. The kartika, derived from the traditional Indian butcher’s knife, features a crescent-shaped iron blade adorned with intricate brass detailing and a dorje-shaped handle, and is employed in Tantric ceremonies for symbolic flaying – representing the cutting away of ignorance, attachment, and obstacles on the path to Enlightenment. Size of knife: 6″ L x 6.25″ W (15.2 cm x 15.9 cm)

Condition: Dark patina and toning. Nicks and abrasions to surfaces. Oxidation to iron blade. Good vintage conditions.

Provenance: private Wichita, Kansas, USA collection

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all purchases.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.