TIBET. Bronze and iron "Kartika" knife, ritual object of Tibetan tantric Buddhism, the Vajrayana. Crescent-shaped blade topped by a vajra (or thunderbolt) serving as a handle. It symbolizes the breaking of all material ties, while the vajra represents the wisdom that destroys ignorance, thus opening the way to enlightenment. Size: 16,5x15,8 cm. Provenance: Private collection, Ile d'Oléron.

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