Golden accessory of a Buddhist deity with snakes

Take a closer look at this golden accessory of the Buddhist deity Mahākāla from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). With three wide-open eyes, sharp fangs and a crown of five skulls, this striking figure radiates power and mystery. Snakes coil around his ears, arms and waist, while a halo of flames rises from behind. The small holes around the halo's edge hint that this piece may have functioned as a protective amulet, perhaps attached to a hat.

The golden accessory was unearthed from the tomb of Prince Chuang of Liang in Zhongxiang, Hubei province, and is now housed in Hubei Provincial Museum.