A thangka depicting Bernagchen Mahakala, Tibet, 18th century

Collection of Lionel (1943-2017) and Danielle Fournier.

Christie's Paris, 12th December 2018, lot 58.

‘Great Black Cloak’ Mahakala with wide-open mouth and massive head adorned with a skull crown, wearing his eponymous cloak decorated with bija symbols and floral motifs, a serpent over the shoulders, and holding a flaying knife (kartrika) and skull cup (kapala) filled with blood, with Chaturbhuja Mahakala to his right and Vaishravana to his left, Lhamo Dodsolma beneath with Damchen Garwa Nagpo to the left and Trakshe with consort to the right, Karnag Dorje Gyalpo lower left with mounted Simhamukha Mahakala and his consort Sengdongma, with Sadaksari Avalokiteshvara and Vajrayogini flanking a central figure of Karmapa at the apex

It is said that Mahakala as Bernagchen was envisaged by the second Karmapa, Karma Pakshi (1204-1283), and has since been personal protector deity of the Karmapa lineage.