A GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF PALDEN LHAMO, QIANLONG INCISED SEVEN-CHARACTER MARK AND OF THE PERIOD (1736-1795)

A GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF PALDEN LHAMO
QIANLONG INCISED SEVEN-CHARACTER MARK AND OF THE PERIOD (1736-1795)
The fierce goddess is seated sideways on a flayed skin on top of a mule over a separately cast rocky base carved with waves surrounding a sea of swirling blood. The figure is shown with her right arm upraised and left holding a kapala, adorned in beaded jewellery and a garland of severed heads over her shoulders. Her wrathful face is cast with bulging eyes and a third eye on the forehead, below flame-like hair. There are traces of red pigment to the hair, mouth and the mouth of the mule. The base bears a seven-character inscription.
5 5/8 in. (14.5 cm.) overall high

Provenance

Sold at Christie’s London, 15 November 2000, lot 88

PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE ASIAN COLLECTION SOLD TO BENEFIT MENTAL HEALTH CHARITIES IN ASIA