A BLACKGROUND THANGKA DEPICTING MAHAKALA Tibet, 19^th to early 20^th century. Distemper and gold on cloth. The wrathful protector depicted with two arms, holding kapala and trident in his hands, striding in a dancing posture atop a prostrate figure, surrounded by a flaming aureole and four dancing dakinis, all within a cloudy mountain landscape.

Provenance: Marcelle and Pierre Grossenbacher, acquired between 1989 and 1996 in China.
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear, creasing, soiling, and few minuscule losses.

Dimensions: Size 80 x 50.5 cm

Mahakala is clad in a tiger skin and adorned with a garland of severed heads, the face with bared fangs and bulging eyes surmounted by a skull tiara, the fiery hair rising in waves.

Auction result comparison: Compare a related blackground thangka of Mahakala, dated 19^th/20^th century, but of smaller size (54 x 42 cm), at Christie’s New York in Indian and Southeast Asian Art on 16 September 2014, lot 304, sold for USD 27,500. 黑地大黑天唐卡 西藏，十九至二十世紀，布面膠畫金彩。憤怒神雙手執嘎巴拉碗和三叉戟，矯健地踩在一個匍匐妖魔之上，周身環繞著一個燃燒的光背以及四位舞動的空行母，山景雲霧繚繞。

來源：Marcelle 與 Pierre Grossenbacher收藏，1989 至1996年間購於中國
品相：品相機好，輕微磨損，摺痕、污跡和微小缺損失。

尺寸：80 x 50.5 厘米

拍賣結果比較：一幅相近的十九至二十世紀黑地大黑天唐卡，但小尺寸 (54 x 42 厘米)，于紐約佳士得Indian and Southeast Asian Art，2014年9月16日，lot 304, 售價USD 27,500.