Item Type: Tibetan Antique Statue

Dimensions: Height: 7.48 in (19 cm) Width: 4.33 in (11 cm) Depth: 3.34 in (8.5 cm) 

Materials and Techniques: Bronze, Gilt

Place of Origin: Riwoche Monastery

Period: 18th Century

Date of Manufacture: 18th Century

Condition: Good

The two-armed Mahakala is the wrathful incarnation of the Tathagata Samantabhadra. He is the exclusive protector of the great treasures of the past dynasties. He is also the most important protector of the Karma Kagyu inheritance. The Tibetan secrets are known as Mahakala. To protect the cause, he is the head of all the protectors. Compared with many other images of Mahakala (traditionally believed that there are 75 types), this two-armed black-robed statue of Mahakala is extremely special and rare in the system of statues of protectors. The entire Karma Kagyu sect is so important, which determines the uniqueness of this collection. This statue of Mahakala has a short, round and majestic face, three wide-open eyes, and an angry look with its mouth open and teeth. The gilding and painting techniques on the face are extremely exquisite. The iconic right hand holds the Vajra Saber, and the left hand holds the skull bowl as a chest rest, placing it on the chest. With bare chest and bulging belly, bare feet tread on obstacles and demons. The body shape is short and strong, common to Mahakala, but the proportions of the limbs are harmonious and natural. The clothing is simplified and only emphasizes the fifty-fresh head and the braid hanging from the crook of the arm at the waist. The large flat trapezoid covers the rosette, and the depiction is simple and unsophisticated. This statue is of extremely high standard and can be called a collection-level treasure. It was inherited from the "Riwoche Monastery" of the Kagyu sect in northeastern Tibet.