Tibetan 19th Century Kartika Ceremonial Dagger

Unusual and scarce Tibetan 19th Century Tibetan Kartika

A good example of a bronze Tibetan Kartika ceremonial knife. A kartika is a small, symbolic crescent knife or ‘chopper’, used in Vajrayana Buddhist ceremonies and it symbolizes the severance of all material and worldly bonds and is crowned with a vajra, which is said to destroy ignorance, and leads to enlightenment. The kartika is a key ritual implement in the Tibetan Buddhist practice of Chöd, or ‘cutting through demons’. In Buddhist teachings, this tool is held in the right hand of Yama, the conqueror of death. It is also used in Feng Shui. The heavy bronze dagger has crisp detailing.