The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 18, 2025

Door Guardian, Mahakala

800s

Indonesia, Central Java, Chandi Suko, 9th century

volcanic stone
Overall: 61.3 x 32.4 cm (24 1/8 x 12 3/4 in.)
Gift of Dr. Norman Zaworski 1980.203
Location: 244 Indian and Southeast Asian

Did You Know?

The crossed chest ornament, called a "channavira" in Sanskrit, denotes power and valor.

Description

The natural stance of this richly adorned figure indicates that he served as an attendant: the face turns to his right, while his midsection turns to the left, and the weight is on his right leg. A plain ovoid halo indicates that he is divine. The broken right hand may have held an implement or weapon that would aid in a more precise identification.
  • ?-1980
    Dr. Norman Zaworski [1920-2013], Cleveland, OH, gift to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    1980-
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Lee, Sherman E. “The Year in Review for 1980.” The Bulletin of the Cleveland Museum of Art, vol. 68, no. 6, 1981, pp. 163–219. Mentioned and Reproduced: no. 286, pp. 200, 218 25159730
  • Year in Review: 1980. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer) (June 24-July 19, 1981).
  • {{cite web|title=Door Guardian, Mahakala|url=false|author=|year=800s|access-date=18 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1980.203