Indian and Himalayan Art Achala, Destroyer of Evils Made in Nepal, AsiaMalla Dynasty (1200-1769), Early 16th century Artist/maker unknown, Nepalese Gilded bronze with turquoise, spinel rubies, and lapis lazuli or azurite Currently not on view 1975-22-1 Bequest of Erwin Swann, 1975 |
LabelAchala raises his sword to cut away ignorance. He once also held a lasso used to guide wandering souls. The whirling tassels of his scarf emphasize the dynamism of his namesake posture, Achala-asana, characterized by lunging forward on the right leg, the left knee bent and left foot raised skyward. A popular deity among Buddhist Newars in Nepal, Achala is depicted as both a central and supporting figure in many paintings. The pleated front tassel and incised floral patterns on his skin-tight shorts (dhoti) are characteristic of Malla period costume and refined sculptures of the era. |
