Ritual flaying knife with gilded vajra handle and makara hilt. Restored and rust removed by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Tibet, 15th century [2600×2100]
Ritual flaying knife with gilded vajra handle and makara hilt. Restored and rust removed by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Tibet, 15th century [2600×2100]
This flaying knife is styled in the Indian manner, with a long, hooked steel blade for butchering and flaying. A vajra (thunderbolt scepter), symbol par excellence of Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism, forms the handle. The steel blade issues from a wide-jawed sea monster (makara) hilt, finely damascened with gold and silver.
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* [Museum page](https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/39407). 57.7 cm long.
* [Museum restoration process](https://www.metmuseum.org/blogs/now-at-the-met/2015/damascened-tibetan-knife).
This flaying knife is styled in the Indian manner, with a long, hooked steel blade for butchering and flaying. A vajra (thunderbolt scepter), symbol par excellence of Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism, forms the handle. The steel blade issues from a wide-jawed sea monster (makara) hilt, finely damascened with gold and silver.