A GILT COPPER ALLOY FIGURE OF SHADBHUJA MAHAKALA


MONGOLIA, 19TH CENTURYHimalayan Art Resources item no.61660 14 cm (5 1/2 in.) high
|蒙古 十九世纪 銅鎏金六臂大黑天像The Gelug order of Tibetan Buddhism adopted Shadbhuja Mahakala as one of their three principal protectors. Following the Qing Dynasty's patronage of the Gelug order, Shadbhuja Mahakala became popular in Mongolia under the Qing rule. There, he also functions as a fulfiller of wishes. This classic Mongolian example, depicts him in a flurry of activity provided by his wide stride and wavy locks. See another example sold at Bonhams, New York, 19 March 2018, lot 3054.ProvenanceThe Kate Kemper Collection, London and Switzerland, late 1990s