This ceremonial mask depicts Bhairava, the fierce aspect of the great Hindu god Shiva. Scholars have opined that this Indian deity was assimilated into the Buddhist pantheon in Tibet by the great Indian sage Atisha, who spent the last 12 years of his life there. Indeed, the bared teeth, bulging eyes, flame-like hair and writhing serpents are iconographic elements shared by both Bhairava and Mahakala.
Details
- Title: Mask
- Date: 20th century
- Medium: Metal
- Dimensions: 13-1/2 x 16 in. (34.29 x 40.64 cm.)
- Credit Line: Norton Simon Museum, Estate of Armand J. Labbé, in memory of his parents, Gertrude and Armand Labbé
- Accession Number: P.2006.02.09
- Copyright: © Norton Simon Museum
Object Information
Divine Demons: Wrathful Deities of Buddhist Art
- Norton Simon Museum, 2009-08-14 to 2010-03-08
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