A Black-ground Thangka Depicting Panjarnatha Mahakala, Tibet, 17th/18th Century

Auction Closed

September 20, 05:33 PM GMT

Estimate

6,000 - 8,000 USD

Lot Details

Description

Property From A Rhode Island Collection

A Black-ground Thangka Depicting Panjarnatha Mahakala

Tibet, 17th/18th Century

22½ by 15½ in. (57.2 by 39.4 cm)

Mahakala Panjarnata holding his principal attributes the kartrika,kapala and ghandi stick, with Vajradhara above flanked by the Indian Brahmin Vararuchi to the left and a Buddhist master holding a sutra to the right, blue Bhutadamara Mahakala standing below to the left, and Arya Ekajati seated to the right above blue Shri Devi riding the mule, and with the Five Rakshasa dancing to the left and beneath

Himalayan Art Resources item no. 13609.

Acquired in India, circa 1960, thence by descent.

The wrathful figure Panjarnata Mahakala, derived from the Vajrapanjara Tantra, is the special protector of of the Hevajra tantras. He was also considered the special protector of Nalanda University in Bihar, depicted by the wooden ghandi placed across his forearms, and the same kind of wooden gong which would have been used to call the monastics to assembly.