The Phur-Pa, Tibetan Ritual Daggers

Huntington, John C.

Published by Artibus Asiae, Ascona, Switzerland, 1975

About this Item

In English. Presumed first printing of the first edition. Printed in Switzerland. Artibus supplementum XXXIII. Includes the publisher's advance slip. 12.5 x 9.5 inches. Bound in dark blue cloth, with crisp gilt-stamped design to the front board and lettering to the spine. Unbumped spine head and tail, and with sharp corners. Text block firmly bound in. With vii and 76 numbered pages, plus unnumbered illustration pages. Included are LXIII B&W plates, many full-page and all on heavy coated stock. Gift inscription in a neat ink hand on the front FEP, "For Jim & Marilyn, Many thanks for a wonderful day. John [?]", possibly from the author but uncertain. Else an impressively clean interior. No stains, stampings or underlining noticed. With the heavy-duty dust jacket, including red and black lettering on a light blue background and with a phur-pa photo image to the front. A gently and respectfully read book. A Very Good copy in a Very Good DJ. 2 lbs. 5 oz. "Among the most distinctive ritual objects known from Tibet is the phur-pa, a dagger like implement used in exorcistic rituals." This book is from the personal library of James and Marilyn Alsdorf, among the most prominent Chicago-based collectors in the second half of the 20th century of significant Asian art. Studying and collecting art was their all-consuming passion, and it took them all over the world. As well as being great collectors, the Alsdorfs were loyal supporters of museums and cultural institutions across Chicago and the wider United States, including the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., the Leigh Block Museum of Art at Northwestern University and the Art Institute of Chicago.

Seller Inventory # 008150

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Phur-Pa, Tibetan Ritual Daggers
• Publisher: Artibus Asiae, Ascona, Switzerland
• Publication Date: 1975
• Language: English
• Binding: Cloth
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Very Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good
• Signed: Inscribed by Author(s)
• Seller catalogs:
  • Tibet, Nepal
  • Religious and Funerary Art
  • Asian Art