Tantric Simhavaktra

Artist

Mongolian (Mongolian)

Date

Early 20th century

Medium

Ink and pigment on paper

Dimensions

Sheet : 11 3/4 x 8 1/2 in. (29.85 x 21.59 cm)

Credit Line

Purchased with funds donated by Ronald (1962) and Gerri Vander Molen

Object Number

2019.13.1

Label

Simhavaktra is considered by some to be the queen of the dakini. She has the head of a white snow lion and the body of a human woman. As here, she is typically portrayed in a dancing pose holding a ritual flaying knife, a skull cup filled with blood, and a skull-tipped tantric staff. She wears a five-skull crown and bone jewelry together with an elephant-skin cloak and a tiger-skin skirt.