AN IMPRESSIVE SILK EMBROIDERED THANGKA OF MAHAKALA Inner Mongolia, circa 1780-1850. Finely woven with the wrathful protector trampling upon Ganapati atop a lotus pillow with diapered top, holding a flaying knife and blood-filled skullcup in his main hands, his four other hands holding various attributes, surrounded by flames amid clouds and mountain peaks, flanked by the sun and moon above.

Provenance: Purchased by a Swedish collector at Spink Gallery in London, during the 1970s (invoice lost), and thence by descent in the family. London trade, acquired from the above.
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear, minimal soiling, few loose threads, few tiny losses.

Dimensions: Size 101.5 x 73.5

Literature comparison:
Compare a related silk embroidered temple hanging depicting Palden Lhamo, attributed to Inner Mongolia and also dated ca. 1780-1850, in the collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum, accession number IS.9-1976. Note the similar embroidering technique, dyeing method and applied colors, particularly to the diaper decoration on the lotus pillow, whereas other details such as the clouds and flames are somewhat reminiscent of Chinese painting.



清代大黑天唐卡
内蒙古，約1780-1850年。精美刺綉六臂大黑天。主尊全身黑藍色，頭戴五骷髏冠，三目怒視，腰圍虎皮裙。六手皆持有法器，中間兩手置於胸前，左手托骷髏碗，右手持鉞刀，其餘四手分置身體兩側。站立姿勢，右腿曲，左腿伸，兩足分別踩在象頭天神的胸和腿上。身後有火焰形大背光，象徵智慧和威力無比。左右兩側可見日月。

來源：瑞典藏家上世紀七十年代購於倫敦Spink 藝廊（發票遺失），保存在同一家族；倫敦古玩交易，購於上述收藏。
品相：狀況極好，小磨損，少量污漬與絲線鬆動，些微缺損。

尺寸：101.5 x 73.5 厘米

文獻比較：
比較一件相近的絲質刺繡內蒙古1780-1850年吉祥天母寺廟掛毯，收藏於維多利亞和亞伯特美術館，編號IS.9-1976。請注意相似的刺繡、染色技術和使用的顏色，特別是荷花枕上的紋飾，而其他細節如雲彩和火焰則有點類似中國畫作。