Four-armed Mahakala Tibet, 12th – 13th Century

Tibet Museum Photo Courtesy of Bowers Museum One of the earliest and most important works in the exhibition, this 12th or 13th century sculpture presents Mahakala, a protector deity worshipped by all Tibetan sects. Wearing a five-skull crown, he has three eyes wide open in wrathful expression, and his hair stands on end. The orange color of his hair and moustache refers to his function as a wrathful deity, one called upon to protect and defend.

all images and text © Bowers Museum and Tibet Museum