TIBET, 18TH CENTURY

This wrathful male blood-drinker or heruka holds a curved-knife and skull cup around the body of his female consort. Together, they are meditational deities of the highest yoga tantra. The avian imagery common to Heruka figures of the Nyingma tradition like this has roots in Bon, the indigenous religion of Tibet.

Himalayan Art Resources (himalayanart.org), item no. 24507.