Old Indian Arts archive: Jul 16, 2013

Note: Mahakala is a wrathful manifestation of Shiva Bhairava, taken up in an Esoteric Buddhist context as a fierce manifestation of the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara as guardian of the dharma (Buddhist law) and the sangha (community of monks and nuns). He is shown here enthroned on a lotus cushion—another supports his pendant foot—wielding a sword and trident and displaying a skull cup (kapala); his missing fourth hand likely held the flaying knife. He wears a skull diadem with radiating flames. A skull garland is slung around his waist, and snakes form his sacred cord and armbands. A kneeling couple, presumably the donors who commissioned the icon, make an offering below. A Sanskrit inscription in proto-Bengali script identifies them: it states, in part, “this is the pious gift of Dahapati.”

Source: metmuseum.org

Old Indian Arts

Goddess with Weapons in Her Hair - Copper Alloy Sculpture, 2nd-1st Century B.C. North India (Possibly Pataliputra, Bihar)

Votive Plaque with Seated Buddha and Attendants - 11th Century Pala Period Terracotta

Plaque with Scenes from the Life of the Buddha - 12th Century Pala Period Mudstone Sculpture

Standing Male God (possibly Shiva) - 6th Century Gupta Period Sculpture

Mahakala - 11th-12th Century Pala Period Black Stone Sculpture

Buddha Preaching the First Sermon at Sarnath - 11th Century Pala Period Black Stone Sculpture

Vishnu with His Consorts, Lakshmi and Sarasvati - 11th-12th Century Pala Period Black Stone Sculpture

Shiva Seated with Uma (Umamaheshvara) - 11th century, Thakuri dynasty, Copper Alloy Sculpture, Nepal (Kathmandu Valley)

Shiva Seated with Uma (Umamaheshvara) - 11th century Copper Alloy Sculpture, Nepal (Kathmandu Valley)

Stupa (Chorten), 9th Century or Earlier Metalwork from Nepal (Kathmandu Valley)

Manjuvajra Mandala (Esoteric form of Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom) - 11th Century Pala Period Black Stone Buddhist Sculpture

Shiva as Mrityunjaya, the Conquerer of Death - 12 Century Pala Period Black Stone Sculpture, Eastern India

The Goddess Durga Killing the Buffalo Demon (Mahishasura Mardini) - 12 Century Pala Period Sculpture, Eastern India

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