Yaksha - New York City, NY
Posted by: 
Metro2
N 40° 46.720 W 073° 57.767
18T E 587523 N 4514704
Buddhists and Hundus believe Yakshas are minor deities protecting the earth's riches.
This sculpture is located at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Waymark Code: WMMZ44
Location: New York, United States
Date Posted: 11/27/2014
Views: 5
The Museum's website (
visit link) informs us:
"Yaksha
Period: Shunga period
Date: ca. 50 B.C.
Culture: India (Madhya Pradesh)
Medium: Sandstone
Dimensions: H. 35 in. (88.9 cm); W. 18 in. (45.7 cm)
Classification: Sculpture
Credit Line: Gift of Jeffrey B. Soref, in honor of Martin Lerner, 1988
Accession Number: 1988.354
On view in Gallery 234
Yakshas (male nature spirits) are personifications of the natural world. Over time they were worshipped as minor gods in both the Buddhist and Hindu pantheons, often functioning as protectors of the earth’s riches, and they became associated with wealth. This potbellied dwarf once raised his arms to support a bowl on his head, which identifies him as a “carrier,” or bharavahaka yaksha. The closest stylistic parallels to this form are seen on pillar capitals at the great early Buddhist stupa (a moundlike structure designed to hold objects of veneration) of Sanchi, near Bhopal. In all probability this yaksha served as an attendant at a stupa’s entrance, its bowl used to receive devotees’ donations."