Yama, Lord of Death: Regent of the South
The lokapalas stand in each of the four cardinal directions as protectors of both the Buddhist dharma (teachings) and the religious community. Texts speak of monasteries being constructed on grids symbolically marked with these deities, leaving the specific ritual function of these sculptures an open question.
Yama, Lord of Death is Regent of the South. He holds the remains of a staff. His mount is the buffalo.
Yama, Lord of Death is Regent of the South. He holds the remains of a staff. His mount is the buffalo.
Artwork Details
- Title: Yama, Lord of Death: Regent of the South
- Period: Anuradhapura period
- Date: 9th century
- Culture: Sri Lanka
- Medium: Bronze
- Dimensions: H. 9 in. (22.9 cm); W. 5 in. (12.7 cm); D. 3 7/8 in. (9.8 cm)
- Classification: Sculpture
- Credit Line: Gift of Guardian of the Flame Collection, 2005
- Object Number: 2005.468.1
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Sri Lanka, central plateau
10th century
Sri Lanka
ca. 8th century
Sri Lanka (Anuradhapura)
late 8th century
Sri Lanka
ca. late 7th–first half of the 8th century
Sri Lanka
ca. 9th century
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.