Pañjaranata Mahakala (Gurgyi Gönpo) – “Protector of the pavilion”
See it in the Museum
Reception desk
Orientation 3
Display 1
ABS 399
Code: ABS 399
Country: Tibet
Style:
Date: 1250 - 1350
Dimensions in cm WxHxD: 9,2 x 11,8 x 4,7
Materials: Lapis lazuli and gilt copper alloy
Pañjaranata Mahakala (Gurgyi Gönpo) – “Protector of the Pavillion”
This sculpture depicts a famous aspect of the protective deity Mahakala, “The Great Black Protector of the Pavillion” (Gurgyi Gönpo in Tibetan). Black-skinned with coarse limbs, he displays all the characteristics of wrathful deities. Richly adorned with macabre ornaments, his hands hold the curved blade and blood-filled skull cup, and a staff rests in the crook of his arms. He looks like a corpulent dwarf crouching over a corpse.
Carved in a single bloc of lapis-lazuli, this precious image is highlighted with traces of gold and orange pigment for the hair, enclosed in a gilded copper pedestal and halo inset with turquoise and ruby. This specific form of Mahakala is attached to the Hevajra yidam primarily revered by the Sakya school.
This sculpture depicts a famous aspect of the protective deity Mahakala, “The Great Black Protector of the Pavillion” (Gurgyi Gönpo in Tibetan). Black-skinned with coarse limbs, he displays all the characteristics of wrathful deities. Richly adorned with macabre ornaments, his hands hold the curved blade and blood-filled skull cup, and a staff rests in the crook of his arms. He looks like a corpulent dwarf crouching over a corpse.
Carved in a single bloc of lapis-lazuli, this precious image is highlighted with traces of gold and orange pigment for the hair, enclosed in a gilded copper pedestal and halo inset with turquoise and ruby. This specific form of Mahakala is attached to the Hevajra yidam primarily revered by the Sakya school.