Gratefully built with ACNLPatternTool
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.
This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.
This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.
Use your arrow keys to navigate the tabs below, and your tab key to choose an item
Title: Mahakala Panjaranatha (Protector of the Tent)
Date: late 14th–early 15th century
Culture: Tibet
Medium: Steatite with color and gilding
Dimensions: H. 7 in. (17.8 cm); W. 4 1/2 in. (11.4 cm); D. 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm)
Classification: Sculpture
Credit Line: Gift of Florence and Herbert Irving, 2015
Object Number: 2015.500.4.18
The Met's Libraries and Research Centers provide unparalleled resources for research and welcome an international community of students and scholars.
The Met Collection API is where all makers, creators, researchers, and dreamers can connect to the most up-to-date data and public domain images for The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.
