Page 290 - Bonhams May 12 16 London

287 Y Ф
A RARE IVORY CARVING OF MAHAKALA
Ming Dynasty
The deity standing in dynamic pratyalidha, three billowing sashes
hung from his waist dangling to the beaded lotus base, with both
hands holding a vajra chopper and a skull bowl, heavily embellished
with beaded jewellery and a garland of severed heads, the wrathful
face exquisitely carved, surmounted by a high chignon behind a
crown of skulls.
8cm (3 1/8in) high

£8,000 - 12,000 CNY73,000 - 110,000
HK$88,000 - 130,000

明 牙雕大黑天造像

The Primary Wisdom Protector of Himalayan and Tibetan Buddhism,
Mahakala is also a meditational deity.

The rarity of ivory carvings in Tibet is discussed in Art Sacré du Tibet:
Collection Alain Bordier, 2013, p.132, pl.55, which illustrates an equally
rare ivory carving of Acala. It is possible that the present figure may
date to the 16th century. An ivory roundel, dating to the 16th century
and included in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum, New York,
includes a related carving of Mahakala, no. 2003.495, and a bronze
figure or Kurukulla, displaying closely comparable facial features,
gestures and treatment of the ornaments and flowing ribbons and
attributed to the 16th century, sold at Christie’s New York, 21 March
2001, Lot 117.

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