Unknown
Yama, The Divine Regent of the Southcirca 17th century

Not on view

Artist or Maker: Unknown
Title: Yama, The Divine Regent of the South
Place Made: Nepal
Date Made: circa 17th century
Medium: Forged iron with traces of red devotional paint
Dimensions: 6 1/4 x 3 x 1 1/2 in. (15.88 x 7.62 x 3.81 cm)
Credit Line: Gift of Michael Phillips and Juliana Maio
Accession Number: AC1996.213.1
Classification: Sculpture
Collecting Area: South and Southeast Asian Art
Curatorial Notes: Yama, the Hindu Lord of Death (Yamaraja), is also the Divine Regent of the South in the cosmographical group of Eight Guardians of the Directions (Ashta-Dikpala) who protect the cardinal and intercardinal points.

This latter role is the form of Yama depicted in this unusual forged iron sculpture. He is human-faced, nimbate, and has a flaming aureola (prabhavali). He stands in a militant posture (pratyalidha asana) with his right leg extended and his left leg slightly bent. He has two arms. In his right hand, he holds his primary attribute of a staff (yama-danda), representative of Yama’s chastisement. Although now somewhat indistinct, his left hand is likely performing a wrathful gesture. He wears a Newari flaring skirt (tapalan) typically worn over fitted trousers (suruwa).

See also M.75.113.8 and M.88.220.1.

Not on view

Artist or Maker: Unknown
Title: Yama, The Divine Regent of the South
Place Made: Nepal
Date Made: circa 17th century
Medium: Forged iron with traces of red devotional paint
Dimensions: 6 1/4 x 3 x 1 1/2 in. (15.88 x 7.62 x 3.81 cm)
Credit Line: Gift of Michael Phillips and Juliana Maio
Accession Number: AC1996.213.1
Classification: Sculpture
Collecting Area: South and Southeast Asian Art
Curatorial Notes: Yama, the Hindu Lord of Death (Yamaraja), is also the Divine Regent of the South in the cosmographical group of Eight Guardians of the Directions (Ashta-Dikpala) who protect the cardinal and intercardinal points.

This latter role is the form of Yama depicted in this unusual forged iron sculpture. He is human-faced, nimbate, and has a flaming aureola (prabhavali). He stands in a militant posture (pratyalidha asana) with his right leg extended and his left leg slightly bent. He has two arms. In his right hand, he holds his primary attribute of a staff (yama-danda), representative of Yama’s chastisement. Although now somewhat indistinct, his left hand is likely performing a wrathful gesture. He wears a Newari flaring skirt (tapalan) typically worn over fitted trousers (suruwa).

See also M.75.113.8 and M.88.220.1.