Buddhist ritual instrument in gilded copper with repoussé work. It has the shape of a phurbu, but uses the usual Khatvanga iconography of three progressively decomposing heads illustrating three stages of religious accomplishment in Tibetan Tantric Buddhism, and symbolizing victory over the three roots of evil: greed (raga), ill will (dvesha) and delusion (moha). The top ends in a four-pointed vajra head on a lotiform base, and the tip is fitted with movable rings. Tibet, 19th-20th century H. 55 cm