19th C. Tibetan Buddhist Iron Kartika Axe

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Ancient & Ethnographic Art Through The Ages

By Artemis Gallery

Feb 10, 2022

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• Lot Description
  Central Asia, Tibet, ca. 19th century CE. A ceremonial iron axe with a curved iron blade attached to a mythical brass makara head and dorje. The socketed blade attaches to an iron handle that terminates with a brass socket and dorje pommel. The curved blade emerges from the makara's open mouth, like an enormous tongue. The pommel and axe socket are engraved with auspicious symbols of scrolling clouds, bats, lotus, and each rib of the dorje is formed by additional makara heads - and the pommel dorje rests upon a Buddha head, forming a crown. The dorje, an instantly recognizable symbol of Tibetan Buddhism, represents the moment of Enlightenment. This type of knife is known as a Kartika, and it is designed to be used for ritual flaying in Tantric ceremonies. This blade is mounted on a lengthy handle, perhaps to use in a procession. The form is derived from the traditional Indian butcher's knife; however, the blade is not sharpened and only represents ritualistic cutting. Size: 28.75" L x 8" W (73 cm x 20.3 cm)
  
  This axe has many significant auspicious and symbolic Buddhist iconography. The Makara ("sea dragon" or "water monster" in Sanskrit) is the pet and Vahana (vehicle) of the river goddess Ganga of Hindu mythology, who personifies the purity and piety of the Ganges River (the most sacred river of Hindu mythology) and purportedly descends to earth to rinse away humankind's sins. A row of Makara is typically featured on the exteriors of Hindu temples, running along a wall or serving as a handrail. As a vahana ("that which pulls"), the Makara is sometimes depicted mounted by a deity, at the deity's side, or as a symbolic attribute of the deity, in this case it would be Ganga. Makara are often depicted with the frontal part as an elephant or other terrestrial animal Here he is portrayed with bulging eyes, two antlers, curling mane, and rows of sharp teeth.
  
  Provenance: private Englewood, Colorado USA collection; Ex-M. Komor Gallery, New York City, New York USA circa 1965
  
  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 winning bids.
  
  PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
  
  Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
  
  #169365

  Condition

  Loss and missing a dorje or finial on blade head, with break line visible. Repaired with visible adhesive residue along blade to dragon mouth. Blade panels are also splitting down the cutting edge "seam." Pommel finial is bent. Surface pitting and nicks to surfaces throughout. Great areas of patina and signs of age.
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