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Tangka

18th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This scroll painting or tangka depicts Mahakala (phonetic Tibetan: Gurgyi Gonpo; transliterated Tibetan: Gur gyi mgon po), one of the main wrathful protective deities of the Buddhist religion. This squatting form of Mahakala holding a chopper, skull cup and magic club is also called ‘Lord of the Tent’. It is particularly revered by the Sakya Order of Tibetan Buddhism. Mahakala is surrounded by his retinue, other wrathful protectors and religious teachers. Such images are usually kept covered in Tibetan monasteries or hang in the ‘dark’ temples of wrathful protectors or Gonkhangs.

Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Gouache on cotton
Brief description
Mahakala thangka painting, Tibet, 18th century
Dimensions
  • Height: 88cm
  • Width: 62cm
Object history
Tangka painting: Mahakala,
Historical context
Scroll painting or tangka depicting Mahakala as "Lord of the Tent" T. Gurgyi Gonpo (Gur gyi mgon po), a fierce protector of the Buddhist religion.
Summary
This scroll painting or tangka depicts Mahakala (phonetic Tibetan: Gurgyi Gonpo; transliterated Tibetan: Gur gyi mgon po), one of the main wrathful protective deities of the Buddhist religion. This squatting form of Mahakala holding a chopper, skull cup and magic club is also called ‘Lord of the Tent’. It is particularly revered by the Sakya Order of Tibetan Buddhism. Mahakala is surrounded by his retinue, other wrathful protectors and religious teachers. Such images are usually kept covered in Tibetan monasteries or hang in the ‘dark’ temples of wrathful protectors or Gonkhangs.
Collection
Accession number
IM.31-1937

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Record createdMarch 10, 2003
Record URL
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