Human Generated Data

Title

Miniature Phurba Chopper (Part of a Buddhist Monk's Kit of 9 Implements)

Date

19th century

People

-

Classification

Ritual Implements

Credit Line

Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Holmes H. Welch, 1981.78.1.H

Human Generated Data

Title

Miniature Phurba Chopper (Part of a Buddhist Monk's Kit of 9 Implements)

Date

19th century

Classification

Ritual Implements

Credit Line

Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Holmes H. Welch, 1981.78.1.H

Machine Generated Data

Tags

Amazon
created on 2019-07-06

Bronze 81.4
Animal 79.9
Reptile 79.9
Snake 79.9
Pendant 62.6
Arrowhead 56.6

Clarifai
created on 2019-07-06

art 95.1
no person 94
old 93.7
retro 90.8
traditional 90.4
decoration 88.3
antique 86.6
sculpture 86.2
one 83.9
vintage 83
gold 82.5
desktop 81
ancient 78.9
symbol 78.5
brass 73
religion 72.2
metalwork 70.4
illustration 68.1
design 67.8
texture 66.9

Imagga
created on 2019-07-06

metal 26.6
antique 23.5
device 23.3
gold 21.4
decoration 19.5
hook 18.1
golden 18.1
spike 17.4
old 16.7
symbol 16.2
object 16.1
dagger 16.1
art 15.1
knife 14.1
weapon 13.5
amulet 13.4
sports equipment 13.4
sculpture 13.1
design 12.9
statue 12.5
vintage 12.4
3d 12.4
mechanical device 11.9
bronze 11.8
equipment 11.8
sign 11.3
ancient 11.2
ornament 11.2
detail 10.5
animal 10.4
mechanism 10.3
icon 10.3
culture 10.3
charm 10
religion 9.9
steel 9.9
support 9.8
money 9.4
tool 9.3
decorative 9.2
close 9.1
retro 9
style 8.9
antiquity 8.8
snake 8.8
temple 8.7
architecture 8.6
traditional 8.3
silver 8
business 7.9
holiday 7.9
knocker 7.9
wrench 7.8
luxury 7.7
construction 7.7
two 7.6
finance 7.6
protective covering 7.2
wealth 7.2
candlestick 7.2

Google
created on 2019-07-06

Brass 85
Bronze 75.9
Metal 73.8
Pendant 71.5
Fashion accessory 64.1
Antique 55.3
Jewellery 51.7

Microsoft
created on 2019-07-06

bronze 88.1
brass 85.2
religious item 78.2
symbol 75.3
cross 58.1
gold 54.3

Color Analysis

Feature analysis

Amazon

Snake
Snake 79.9%

Categories

Imagga

paintings art 99.1%

Captions

Clarifai
created by general-english-image-caption-blip on 2025-05-02

a photograph of a knife and a knife on a white background -100%

OpenAI GPT

Created by gpt-4o-2024-11-20 on 2025-06-10

This image shows a ceremonial Buddhist ritual item called a "kartika" or "ritual flaying knife," often associated with Vajrayana Buddhism. The upper part features a golden, ornate handle shaped like a vajra, symbolizing the indestructible and enlightened state of mind. Below the handle is a crescent-shaped blade, typically used metaphorically in spiritual practices to cut through ignorance and attachment. The blade has inscriptions in Tibetan script, further emphasizing its sacred purpose. The piece has intricate detailing and a mix of metallic tones, including gold and silver, giving it a traditional, antique appearance.

Created by gpt-4o-2024-08-06 on 2025-06-10

The image depicts a ceremonial object known as a "rdo rje gtor ma" or a traditional "phurba." It consists of two distinct parts. The upper section is a three-pronged structure resembling a vajra, an important symbol in Buddhist rituals representing the properties of a diamond (indestructibility) and a thunderbolt (irresistible force). It's crafted in a golden metal, possibly brass or bronze, and has a worn, antique appearance.

Below the vajra is a curved blade, typical of a traditional Tibetan ritual dagger used in various ceremonies to conquer evil spirits and negative energies. This blade has a dark, metallic appearance, possibly made of iron or similar materials, and is inscribed with Tibetan characters along its surface, adding to its ritualistic significance.

The entire object has an ornate, aged aesthetic suggesting it is a sacred tool in Tibetan Buddhism, used symbolically rather than practically. The white background of the image highlights the distinctive features of the phurba, drawing attention to its craftsmanship and cultural significance.

Anthropic Claude

Created by anthropic.claude-3-haiku-20240307-v1:0 on 2025-06-13

The image shows an antique-looking ornamental object. It appears to be a decorative pendant or charm made of metal, with a crown-like shape at the top and an engraved crescent-shaped element below. The metal has a worn, aged appearance, suggesting it is an old or vintage item. The overall design and craftsmanship suggest this is a historical or cultural artifact, possibly from a religious or ceremonial context.

Created by us.anthropic.claude-3-5-sonnet-20241022-v2:0 on 2025-06-13

This appears to be an ornate historical artifact, likely a ceremonial or decorative key. The key features a gold or gilded crown-like top piece with elaborate metalwork, and the blade portion appears to be made of a darker metal, possibly iron or steel, shaped like a bird or fish. There appears to be some text or inscriptions engraved on the darker metal portion. The design suggests this is not a typical functional key but rather one of ceremonial or symbolic importance, perhaps from a religious or royal context. The contrast between the ornate golden top and the simpler, darker blade creates an interesting aesthetic balance.

Meta Llama

Created by us.meta.llama3-2-11b-instruct-v1:0 on 2025-06-08

The image presents a close-up view of an antique, ornate dagger or ceremonial knife, likely originating from the Himalayan region. The object is centered in the frame, with its handle positioned at the top and the blade at the bottom.

Handle:

  • The handle features a gold crown-like design with two curved handles on either side.
  • A small, pointed tip protrudes from the top of the crown.
  • The handle appears to be made of metal, possibly gold or brass, and exhibits signs of aging and wear, including scratches and patina.

Blade:

  • The blade is shaped like a crescent moon, with a curved edge and a pointed tip.
  • It is made of a dark metal, possibly steel or iron, and has a rough, weathered appearance.
  • The blade is adorned with intricate carvings and markings, which appear to be in an ancient script.
  • The carvings are likely symbolic or ceremonial in nature, but their exact meaning is unclear.

Background:

  • The background of the image is a plain white surface, which helps to highlight the details of the dagger.
  • There are no other objects or features visible in the image, suggesting that it may be a product photo or a display piece.

Overall:

  • The image provides a detailed view of the dagger's design and craftsmanship.
  • The use of a plain white background helps to emphasize the dagger's ornate details and textures.
  • The image may be intended to showcase the dagger as a unique piece of art or a collector's item.

Created by us.meta.llama3-2-90b-instruct-v1:0 on 2025-06-08

The image features a small, intricately designed object with a gold-colored top and a silver-colored bottom. The top resembles a crown or a scepter, while the bottom has a curved shape reminiscent of a scimitar or a sickle. The object is adorned with intricate carvings and markings, which appear to be written in an unknown language.

The background of the image is a plain white surface, suggesting that the object is being displayed for examination or documentation purposes. Overall, the image presents a mysterious and intriguing artifact that warrants further investigation and analysis.

Amazon Nova

Created by amazon.nova-lite-v1:0 on 2025-06-08

The image showcases a Tibetan ritual object known as a "phurbu" or "phurba." This ceremonial dagger is intricately designed and holds significant cultural and spiritual importance in Tibetan Buddhism. The phurbu features a curved blade with a sharp tip, symbolizing the ability to pierce through ignorance and obstacles. At the top of the blade, there is a golden crown-like structure, representing spiritual authority and power. The blade is made of silver, and the handle is adorned with a golden dragon design, signifying strength and protection. Intricate engravings adorn the blade, depicting sacred symbols and mantras in Tibetan script, adding to its spiritual significance. The phurbu is a powerful tool used in rituals to subdue negative forces and protect practitioners on their spiritual journey.

Created by amazon.nova-pro-v1:0 on 2025-06-08

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Google Gemini

Created by gemini-2.0-flash on 2025-05-14

Here is a description of the image:

A close-up shot shows a Phurba dagger, a ritual object used in Tibetan Buddhism. The dagger features a crown-like finial made of gold-colored metal that tops the handle. The handle is decorated with an ornate golden face, which appears to be that of a deity. Below the face is the blade, which is made of dark grey metal and etched with Tibetan writing. The dagger is set against a plain white background.

Created by gemini-2.0-flash-lite on 2025-05-14

Here's a description of the image:

The image showcases a Vajra, a ritual object prominent in Buddhism, especially Tibetan Buddhism. It is displayed against a clean, white background.

Key Features:

  • Shape: The Vajra consists of a top resembling a stylized crown, with an openwork design. Below this is a decorated handle, and from the handle extends a curved, blade-like form, reminiscent of a scimitar.
  • Material & Color: The object appears to be made of a metal that is possibly brass or bronze. It shows signs of age and wear, with areas of discoloration or patina. The handle section seems to have a gold paint, and the blade has engraved lettering, possibly religious text.
  • Details: The handle is decorated with intricate designs, including a serpent head at the point where the blade extends. There are also writings that cover the blade surface.
  • Style: The aesthetic is in line with traditional Tibetan art, which are known for their complex symbolism and ornate detailing.

Overall, the image presents a well-preserved, likely antique or vintage, Vajra against a plain background, which puts the object in clear focus and emphasizes the object's intricate design and religious significance.

Mistral Pixtral

Created by us.mistral.pixtral-large-2502-v1:0 on 2025-06-05

The image shows a ritual object known as a "phurba" or "kila," which is a dagger used in Tibetan Buddhist practices. Here are the key details of the object:

  1. Blade: The blade is relatively short and broad, with a curved shape. It appears to be made of metal and has a dark, possibly oxidized, surface.

  2. Inscriptions: There are inscriptions on the blade, likely in Tibetan script, which may be mantras or sacred texts.

  3. Handle: The handle is ornate and appears to be made of a different material, possibly gold or gilded metal. It features intricate designs and a face-like structure near the base, which is common in phurbas and symbolizes the transformation of negative energies.

  4. Top: The top of the handle has a distinctive, crown-like structure with multiple prongs, which is a characteristic feature of phurbas.

  5. Overall Design: The design is intricate and symbolic, reflecting its use in religious and spiritual practices.

Phurbas are used in rituals to symbolize the destruction of negative forces and the establishment of positive energies. They are often associated with the deity Vajrakilaya in Tibetan Buddhism.