Two temple struts (Tunalas)

a.Temple strut

Wood

Late Malla period, circa 17 th century

H81x16x10cm

b.Temple strut

Wood with traces of polychrome

Late Malla period, circa 17 th century

H67x17x11cm

Private Collection New York acquired 1980

Documentation: Art of Nepal, Pal Pratapaditya, 1985, Los Angeles County Museum, p.138

These two temple structures would have served as a strut supporting the overhanging roof In the Hindu temples of the Kathmandu region. The first strut may represent the crowned and bejewelled Hindu deity Vishnu, wearing the lotus bud and rosary, with a kneeling donor or ascetic below, sometimes interpreted as a yaksha. The second strut may represent Chamunda, one of the mother goddesses, who represents the universal creative force. She wears a garland of skulls and her eight arms used to hold a drum, trident, sword, snake, skull-mace, thunderbolt, a severed head and drinking vessel or skull-cup filled with blood. She wears abundant jewellery and a crown of skull ornaments. Flags stick out of each side of her head, above which are the flowers of the tree. She is standing on the back of a sea animal with scales, beneath here two seated worshippers are praying in devotion. The upper section shows foliage pattern, typical for the late Malla carving.