Kurukulla

Tibet

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 964

This large-scale appliqué depicts the Vajrayana goddess Kurukulla, known as a beautiful bewitcher of men. The four-armed figure’s red skin corresponds to her status as an emanation of the red Amitabha Buddha. Kurukulla is evoked for success with tantric rituals; reciting her mantra allows the practitioner to subdue or bewitch men of all ranks, even kings. Typical of late images of this deity, she shoots a bow with a flower-tipped arrow like the god of love, Kamadeva. As with many ferocious female protectors, she is presented with a headdress of skulls, wearing bone ornaments, and dancing on a pile of corpses. A garland of severed heads frames her body. Below is a group of fierce protectors. This appliqué is an outstanding and well-preserved example of Tibet’s textile image-making tradition.

Kurukulla, Appliqued satin, brocade and damask, embroidered silk and painted details, Tibet

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Kurukulla, Appliqued satin, brocade and damask, embroidered silk and painted details, Tibet
Kurukulla, Appliqued satin, brocade and damask, embroidered silk and painted details, Tibet
Kurukulla, Appliqued satin, brocade and damask, embroidered silk and painted details, Tibet

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