1543 Antique Tantric Ritual Buddhist Six Armed Mahakala Himalayan Art

Beautifully crafted ritual art featuring the Six Armed Mahakala, most probably made of horn.

Depicted with a ritual crown of five skulls, which represent the transmutation of the five negative afflictions into the five wisdoms and the third eye.

Note the additional Mahakala figure on the left horn, the open mouthed figure on the right horn and the skull-headed phurba held in the left hand.

The winding snake-like figure placed inside the horn must have some significance that needs further study.

Note also the deliberately shaped tips of the horns. These shapes are often seen as monastery flags.

Salts+glue mix used as filling where necessary.

Masterfully crafted with love and leisure as a part of devotional worship.

The best part is the wisps of scent of a monastery that I can smell while cleaning, that have been captured by the waxy layers that have gathered over centuries.

Estimated to be from the 1700s - early 1800s. The age-induced patina of the material is in line with this estimate.

10.5 inches tall

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This item has spent a lifetime being used for the purpose of its creation with the original artist/user. Signs of this life lived heartily may be present on the piece in the form of stains, thread loss, loose threads, holes, tears, color run and other imperfections. Therefore the condition must be assumed to be “not” perfect. More photos of such imperfections will be provided on request.

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