A Fine 16/17th C. Chinese Tibetan Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) gilt bronze and Turquoise stones inlaid Buddha deity figure of Chaturbhuja Mahakala, the Great Black One with Four Hands. The principal protector of the Chakrasamvara class of Tantras. Fiercely wrathful, he has one face with three round eyes and a gaping mouth, beard and upward flowing hair. The buddha Akshobhya sits at the crown of the head. The main pair of hands is placed at the heart holding in the right a curved knife and a blood filled white skull cup in the left. In the second pair, the right upraised holds a vajra handled sword. The left held to the side holds a katvanga staff with a trident tip. Adorned with a crown of five white skulls, earrings, necklaces, bracelets and the like, inlay with turquoise beads. The lower body is wrapped in a tiger skin skirt with the right leg pendant and the left drawn up. He sits completely atop a demountable solid hardwood pedestal. The proportions of the body are exact and the overall presence and beauty make this sculpture a precious artistic treasure. The reverse side of Buddha shows a rectangular cut-out, a precisely fitting bronze comes with the sculpture. PROVENANCE: Pineville-Charlotte, North Carolina, private collector, by inheritance. Believed to be purchased from OLIVOTTI BRO'S, 1191 Broadway, New York, N Y. and/or, of 145 Tremont ST. Boston, MA. During 1916-1924.Height:16.25 inWidth: 8.88 in in