Circa 11th century, Tibet, Achala, copper with remains of gilding, 24,4 cm, photo: courtesy of Ulrich von Schroeder, Buddhist Sculptures in Tibet Volume Two, Visual Dharma Publications, Hong Kong, p. 1020 pl. 250A, Potala Collection, Lima Lhakhang inventory nº 364, Lhasa (Tibet).
This early work depicts Achala with his mouth shut, his hair gathered in a topknot except for long strands of curls on one side, dressed in a short dhoti held in place with a belt. He is adorned with a single hair ornament, a cross-belt, and bone jewellery including large hoops. He stands in a fighting pose atop a rocky formation, brandishing a (broken) sword in his right hand while making the tarjani mudra with the other (the forefinger is missing). He doesn’t appear to have a third eye and has no victim under him.
12th-13th century, Tibet, Achala, brass, 23,4 cm, photo as before, p. 1113 pl. 291C, Potala Collection, Lima Lhakhang inventory nº 1139, Lhasa (Tibet).
Blue Achala (with a blue body on paintings) has a third eye and bared fangs. He may have a human appearance and often has an effigy of Akshobhya in his flaming hair. When standing, he crushes two victims or the elephant-headed Ganapati/Ganesha. He holds a noose in his left hand, which displays a wrathful gesture (karana mudra). The above is adorned with large hoops, a snake tiara, and snake jewellery. He wears a tight-fitting tiger skin loincloth and a scarf.
12th-13th century, Tibet, Achala, brass, 25,8 cm, photo as before, p. 1112 pl. 291A, Potala Collection, Lima Lhakhang inventory nº 1143, Lhasa (Tibet).
His noose usually flows above his left shoulder, as on this example. The author identifies the victims under his feet as the Brahmanical god Maeshvara and Ganesha.
13th century, Tibet, Achala, brass, 19,8 cm, photo as before, p. 1113 pl. 291D, Potala Collection, Sa gsum lha khang inventory nº 1574, Lhasa (Tibet).