Page 153 - Bonhams, Fine Chinese Art, London November 3, 2022

The protector deity Mahakala is a wrathful form of the primordial Compare with a related powerful figure of Mahakala, 17th century,
Vajradhara, the supreme essence of all Buddhas. He can be two- in the Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, illustrated by M.Rhie and
armed, four-armed or six-armed as in the present lot. In his six-armed R.Thurman, Wisdom and Compassion: The Sacred Art of Tibet, New
form he is also considered as a fierce and powerful manifestation of York, 1996, pl.111. See also a six-armed Mahakala illustrated by
Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. B.Lipton and N.Ragnubs, Treasures of Tibetan Art: Collections of the
Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art, New York and Oxford,
Mahakala’s fearsome appearance and the terrifying implements that he 1996, pl.84.
holds display his capability to cope with our persistent and unwanted
negativities. His most distinctive symbolic attributes are the chopper Compare with a related gilt-bronze figure of Mahakala, 18th century,
kartri and the skull bowl kapala filled with blood, symbolising the sharp which was sold at Bonhams London, 15 May 2014, lot 314.
edge of wisdom shredding all materialistic negative attitudes in the
human-skull bowl of emptiness that holds the blood of defeated evil
and demonic elements.

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