A NEPALESE BRONZE KARTRIKA, 20th CENTURY Lot n° 12

Cast bronze with iron blade, some detail work, good patina Nepal, 20th century A kartrika is a small, crescent-shaped hand-held ritual flaying knife used in the tantric ceremonies of Vajrayana Buddhism. The kartrika is said to be "one of the quintessential attributes of the wrathful Tantric deities." It is commonly known as the "knife of the dakinis.” Dimensions: Height ca. 13 cm. Condition: Used condition with wear, some nicks and dents, patina, minor losses Provenance: Austrian private collection