Central Asia, Tibet, ca. 18th to 19th century CE. A fine painting of Mahakala, a manifestation of Shiva, who is a protector deity, on fabric - perhaps from a thangka. Mahakala is depicted with black skin in a dancing posture with 6 arms holding various attributes, and wearing a skull necklace. Mahakala means the "Great Black One" or "Great Time" as Kala means time. According to Meulenbeld's "Buddhist Symbolism in Tibetan Thangkas" (2004) "Time is seen as the destroyer of everything and everyone, and therefore equated with death. On the one hand time is eternal, without beginning or end, always continuing. On the other, this eternity consists of little portions of time that are finite, like human life." Behind the deity is a fiery mandorla, and he is set in a verdant landscape with cloud-filled blue skies above. A striking painting depicting a powerful deity and set in a custom frame under glass. Size: visible painting measures 13" W x 16" H (33 cm x 40.6 cm); 21.25" W x 24.25" H (54 cm x 61.6 cm) including mat and frame
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection
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#148233
Condition
This painting may be a large section from a thangka. Although the painting has not been examined outside the frame, it appears to show expected age wear with some crease marks and areas of pigment loss. This said the image is still strong. Frame has a few scuffs, but otherwise is in excellent condition.