Ritual Dagger / Phurba

A ritual dagger made from a golden copper alloy. The dagger has three blade edges and the shaft is decorated with a dorje and makara or mythical sea serpent with pairs of snakes or nagas protruding from its mouth, at the top of the shaft is a knotted ball on top of which is the face of Hayagriva, a Buddhist protector, who wears a crown of skulls.