Untitled

Unknown

9th–10th century · Copper alloy · Asian Art

In Mahayana Buddhism, Jambhala is the god of riches and the guardian of the northern direction. He is the Buddhist equivalent of Kubera, the ancient nature spirit (yaksha) absorbed in early Hinduism as the protector of jewels and other treasures. Jambhala serves as the chief of the yaksha; his secondary role as a directional guardian (dikpaka) was probably assumed later.

Artist

Unknown

Date

9th–10th century

Medium

Copper alloy

Culture

Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Gift of Barry Fernando, M.D. and Coleene Fernando, M.D., 2010