The Dharmapala Mahakala
CultureChinese
Date19th century
MediumThangka; with colors on cotton, framed
DimensionsUnframed: 37 5/8 × 26 1/4 inches (95.57 × 66.68 cm)
Framed: 43 3/8 × 32 1/4 inches (110.17 × 81.92 cm)
Framed: 43 3/8 × 32 1/4 inches (110.17 × 81.92 cm)
Credit LinePurchase: William Rockhill Nelson Trust
Object number35-231
On View
Not on viewCollections
DescriptionThe central figure, surrounded by a fiery mandorla, is blue, with four faces and four hands, carrying a sword, flag, chopper and skull. The lower left arm cradles a flask against his chest. He stands in pratyalidha upon two persons. An unidentified teacher is at the upper left, Nagarjuna at upper center, and Atisha at upper right. At lower left is Mahakala as Bram-zehi, with a long gray beard and blowing on a bone trumpet. Lower right: Citipati.Exhibition HistorySiamese and Tibetan Paintings and Bronzes, Norfolk Society of Arts, VA, November 7–28, 1948, no. 36 as Blue figure of Mahakala surrounded by red and black flames holds a sword and a skull.
Sacred Images of Tibet, Spencer Museum of Art, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, August 20–October 15, 1989, no cat.
With Yung Ku Chai, Beijing, by 1935;
Purchased from Yung Ku Chai, through Laurence Sickman, by The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO, 1935.
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