Triad of unidentified wrathful deities
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Chapel
Orientation 3
Display 5

ABS 062

 Code: ABS 062

  Country: Tibet

  Style:

  Date: 1300 - 1400

  Dimensions in cm WxHxD: 13.5 x 9.2 x 3.4

  Materials: Fine-grained beige stone

Triad of unidentified wrathful deities 

These three male deities of different height still await a correct identification. Fierce and corpulent, they step to the right in the warrior-stance on a large lotus pedestal. Adorned with the dreadful ornaments of the charnel grounds, all three share the same position. Wielding a weapon with their right hand, their left perform the threatening gesture before their chests. The deity to the right brandishes a sword, and the deity to the left a staff. Unfortunately, the central and major deity has lost its attribute.

Their fierce appearance probably designates them as protective deities. The available iconographic elements alone cannot allow a clear identification nor their religious affiliation, whether Buddhist or Bön.

Tibetan tradition has two types of protective deities: the awakened-ones consisting of Buddhas and bodhisattvas manifesting under a fearful aspect to overcome strong negativities, and worldly deities composed of demons and autochthonous nature entities subdued and oath-bounded by eminent masters of the past, in charge of protecting the religious traditions and practitioners.