TIBET, XVEME SIECLE

Mahakala or Ye shes mgon po is one of the most popular protective and tutelary deities in Tibet. As tutelary deity he is an enlightened being given by a teacher to his pupil to meditate upon and to identify with. He is also considered to be one of the eight protectors of Buddhism and its followers. Many forms of the deity are known. The present example however shows an extremely rare and specific form of him, pressing an enemies heart with his principle right hand which blood is received by the skull-cup recipient held in his principle left hand. Both secondary hands hold the sword of wisdom and the trident that represents power over the nervous system. He is seated on a corpse, pot-bellied and his face showing a ferocious expression. A tiara ornamented with five skulls is keeping his hair in balance. The silver inlaid eyes, red-copper lips, enemies heart and content of the skull-cup contrast well with the metal colour of the figure itself which is even emphasized by the subtle inlay of turquoise beads. The detailed and superb casting makes this bronze an important testimony of Tibetan craftmanship.