A RARE GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF MAHAKALA, Tibet, 15th - 17th century

Finely cast and impeccably crafted in every detail, it depicts a six-armed Mahakala in alidhasana posture. In his main hands, he holds a curved knife and a skull cup, while in his secondary arms, he carries a rosary made of skulls and a trident, a damaru (drum), and a lasso in the two lower hands, while trampling supine Ganapati. The base 19th century. Accompained by an old certificate.

Provenance: - From a private Italian collection.

Catalogue Notes:

Mahakala is considered the principal protector of wisdom in Himalayan and Tibetan Buddhism. In some cases, Mahakala can also be a meditative deity (ishtadevata) in the highest Anuttarayoga Tantra. Generally, Mahakala forms are wrathful emanations of the Buddha Vajradhara. Among the various forms of Mahakala, only this form of Shadbhuja is an emanation of the bodhisattva of compassion Avalokiteshvara.

A similar bronze for quality of casting, facial expression, movement, and posture can be seen in the collection of Dr. John Loomis in Himalayan Art Resources, item no. 34273. Also from a private collection, see item no. 15707.

西藏 15至17世纪 铜鎏金六臂大黑天造像