This artwork of the Hindu goddess Guhyakali belongs to a group of tantric objects that were only produced for a small group in Nepal and are therefore less known. Guyakali, the “mysterious Kali” is one of the main deities of Nepal and is also represented in the Buddhist cult. In addition to her role as the wife of Shiva, she is also represented as an independent deity, here in the form of a 54-armed and ten-headed goddess. Guhyakali dances on a flame that springs from an open lotus flower. Shiva’s corpse lies just below.
It has a human face surrounded by nine animal heads.
Details
- Title : Guhyakali
- Year : 17th century
- Classification : Sculpture
- Medium : Bronze
- Dimension : Object size: 26.5 x 14.5 x 13.5 cm ; Weight: 1.4 kg
- Accession No : Identification number. I 10104
- Country/ Geo-location : NEPAL
- Collection : Pergamon Museum
- Collection : Museum of Asian Art South, Southeast and Central Asia
- Photo : Museum for Asian Art of the State Museums in Berlin - Prussian Cultural Heritage Photographer: Iris Papadopoulos