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Yama with Yajra Surrounded by Deities
Nepalese
1592
Object Place: Nepal
Medium/Technique
Distemper on cotton
Dimensions
83 x 61 cm (32 11/16 x 24 in.)
Credit Line
Otis Norcross Fund
Accession Number20.781
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAsia
ClassificationsPaintings
DescriptionPainting in hanging scroll (thangka) format, but with no veil, streamers, or hanging rod.
Blue Mahakala stands holding a chopper and skull cup with a khatvanga in the crook of his arm. He wears bone ornaments, snakes, and a necklace of human heads. A seated blue deity appears in his diadem. Around his head is an aureole with black ravens flying outward from the edge. He stands upon a prostrate naked figure, which is in turn on top of a multi-colored lotus. At the top, the five wisdom Buddhas appear flanked by a yellow Bodhisattva and an orange Bodhisattva. At the bottom are rows of devotees with images of Ganesh and two deities (one blue, one orange). Additional deities, including Palden Lhamo (lower right) surround Mahakala. Below the image is a white margin with lengthy inscription in Devanagari.
Blue Mahakala stands holding a chopper and skull cup with a khatvanga in the crook of his arm. He wears bone ornaments, snakes, and a necklace of human heads. A seated blue deity appears in his diadem. Around his head is an aureole with black ravens flying outward from the edge. He stands upon a prostrate naked figure, which is in turn on top of a multi-colored lotus. At the top, the five wisdom Buddhas appear flanked by a yellow Bodhisattva and an orange Bodhisattva. At the bottom are rows of devotees with images of Ganesh and two deities (one blue, one orange). Additional deities, including Palden Lhamo (lower right) surround Mahakala. Below the image is a white margin with lengthy inscription in Devanagari.
InscriptionsOn Obverse, in white margin at base, in Devanagari: a lengthy inscription including the date N.S. 715 (=AD 1595). To be read.
Provenance1920, gift of the Otis Norcross Fund to the MFA. (Accession Date: June 3, 1920)