Copper kartika

Decorative small copper kartika. A kartika is a small, sickle-shaped ritual skinning knife held in the hand, which is used in the tantric ceremonies of Vajrayana Buddhism. It is also known as the "knife of the Dakinis". Just as the bell and vajra are commonly used as a ritual pair in Vajrayana spiritual practice and iconography (one is held in the right hand and the other in the left at the same time), the kartika usually appears as a pair with the kapala or 'skull bowl'.

Our kartika is forged by hand in a traditional workshop in Nepal. It has a flat, polished iron blade with a curved hook at the lower end. The copper handle is decorated with a dragon and closed with a half vajra.

Length: approx. 7.3 cm, width: approx. 5.5 cm.