Pañjaranata Mahakala (Gurgyi Gönpo) – “Protector of the pavilion”
See it in the Museum
Chapel
Orientation 2
Display 3
ABS 048
Code: ABS 048
Country: Tibet (central)
Style:
Date: 1400 - 1500
Dimensions in cm WxHxD: 13.7 x 22 x 8.1
Materials: Brass; inlaid with silver and copper
Pañjaranata Mahakala (Gurgyi Gönpo) – “Protector of the Pavilion”
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 now lost staff was resting in the crook of his arms. He looks like a corpulent dwarf crouching over a corpse.
This awe-inspiring brass statue is a true aesthetic masterpiece. The artist showed great care to the numerous wrathful details producing a feeling of terrifying beauty. The hair was traces of orange pigment and the eyes and lips are inlaid with silver and copper. With the use of black lacquer for the pupils, it gives the deity a realistic gaze.
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 now lost staff was resting in the crook of his arms. He looks like a corpulent dwarf crouching over a corpse.
This awe-inspiring brass statue is a true aesthetic masterpiece. The artist showed great care to the numerous wrathful details producing a feeling of terrifying beauty. The hair was traces of orange pigment and the eyes and lips are inlaid with silver and copper. With the use of black lacquer for the pupils, it gives the deity a realistic gaze.