Mahakala (Buddhist Protector) – (1 face – 2 hands)

Mahakala (Buddhist Protector) – (1 face – 2 hands)

Mahakala (English: the Great Black One) with one face and two hands folded at the heart holding a curved knife and skullcup, fearsome in apperance, in a standing posture. Fourteen similar forms of Mahakala descend at the right and left sides. Along the top are the five Celestial Buddhas. Above the donor figures along the bottom are three meditational deities, Ganapati, Achala and a red figure with one face and two hands, peaceful in appearance.

Jeff Watt 3-2001

Notes about the Central Figure
Classification: Deity
Appearance: Wrathful
Gender: Male

Details

  • Title : Mahakala (Buddhist Protector) - (1 face - 2 hands)
  • Year : 1800 - 1899
  • Classification : Painting
  • Medium : Ground Mineral Pigment on Cotton
  • Dimension : 55.25 x 87.63 cm (21.75 x 34.50 in)
  • Accession No : P1994.3.7
  • Country/ Geo-location : Nepal
  • Culture : Buddhism
  • Collection : The Rubin Museum of Art