TIBET, XVIIIEME SIECLE

This dramatic nag thang painting portrays the two-armed Mahakala holding the ritual chopper and blood-filled skull. He has an unusual large head with a flaming hairdo. Finely drawn in gold and coloured in with subdued pigments. He is surrounded by a splendid array of subsidiary figures, all finely executed. Above him is visible a Karmapa lama flanked by the four-armed Sadaksharilokeshvara and the dancing Nairatmya. Near the lotus base of the principle figure are placed at either side the four-armed Caturbhujamahakala and Vaishravana seated on his mount, the lion. Below the lotus one can detect a rare form of Shri Devi flanked to each side by a protective deity and at the lower register possibly the snake-hooded Nagarjuna, Kshetrapalamahakala and assistant bDud mo seng gdong ma holding a human heart, both riding horses and another protective deity riding similarly a horse.