The water pot is shaped as the head of a fierce Mahakala, with the open mouth forming the vessel. The head is finely modelled with two wheel-shaped earrings hanging from pendulous earlobes all below a five-pointed diadem decorated with skulls. The head is decorated with small blue glass inlays.
Provenance:
Paul Rutten collection, Amsterdam.
Jan Brummelhuis collection, Amsterdam.
Catalogue notes: this vessel would have been used in addition to a Purbhu (ritual dagger) for the banishing of evil spirits.
Condition: A small loss to one of the upper decorations, and small losses under the head.
A few fine cracks to the metal.
Some inlays missing.
Various minor dents and wear consistent with age and use.
Origin: Mongolia
Period: 19th century
Sizes: 25.00 cm. H x 21.30 cm. W
9.84 in. H x 8.39 in. W