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Face of the Bhairava
Face of the Bhairava

Face of the Bhairava

Date1809–1810
Label TextBhairava looks like a monster with his three bulging eyes, fangs, flamelike hair, and jewelry made of skulls and snakes. But he is really a fierce form of the Hindu god Shiva, who uses his anger to save the world from evil. Bhairava is especially popular in Nepal, where both Hindus and Buddhists honor him as the protector of their capital city, Kathmandu.
Object number69.143
Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Asian Art Museum, Boundless: Stories of Asian Art, Feb. 8, 2020 - ongoing.
Credit LineNasli and Alice Heeramaneck Collection
Dimensions6 3/4 x 2 1/2 in. (17.15 x 6.35 cm) L.: 7 1/2 in.
MediumCopper with traces of gilding and ritual accretions
Photo: Elizabeth Mann
Congolese
Object number: 81.17.874
Photo: Elizabeth Mann
Chinese
Object number: 33.17
Photo: Elizabeth Mann
Chinese
Object number: 33.20.1
Photo: Elizabeth Mann
Chinese
Object number: 33.20.2
Photo: iocolor, LLP
Chinese
7th - 8th century
Object number: 33.7
Tortoise and Serpent; The Black Warrior
Chinese
6th century
Object number: 33.9
Seated Buddha in meditation gesture (mudra)
Indian
4th century
Object number: 74.45
Photo: Paul Macapia
Chinese
11th century
Object number: 49.64
Horse
Chinese
7th-8th century
Object number: 37.2
Photo: Elizabeth Mann
Japanese
12th century
Object number: 35.70
Photo: Paul Macapia
Chinese
8th century
Object number: 43.101
Court lady
Chinese
7th century
Object number: 33.8.1