Untitled

Unknown

late 14th–early 15th century · Steatite with color and gilding · Asian Art

Mahakala is the principal destroyer of the bonds that tie us to spiritual ignorance. Here he plunges his flaying knife into the skull cup that simmers with a flaming sea of sense organs, and in the crook of his arms he holds a baton for summoning monks to assembly.

Artist

Unknown

Date

late 14th–early 15th century

Medium

Steatite with color and gilding

Culture

Tibet

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Gift of Florence and Herbert Irving, 2015