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Head of a man, probably a yaksha

late 3rd–4th century CE
Not on view
Returned to lender
This work of art was on loan to the museum and has since been returned to its lender.
This head of a yaksha, or nature deity, excavated at Phanigiri, suggests that sculptors of the Ikshvaku era were interested not only in narrative relief panels but also in the technical challenges of carving in the round. Independent sculptures of yakshas have a long tradition in India. Even when yakshas were brought into the service of Buddhism, they retained their authority and independent identity. As the recent excavations at Phanigiri and Kanaganahalli have reaffirmed, yaksha shrines were an integral part of early monastic complexes. Yakshas were assigned guardianship roles and protected the community of monks from the intrusion of malevolent forces.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Head of a man, probably a yaksha
  • Period: Ikshvaku
  • Date: late 3rd–4th century CE
  • Culture: India, Phanigiri, Suryapet district, Telangana
  • Medium: Limestone
  • Dimensions: H. 9 in. (22.9 cm); W. 5 7/8 in. (15 cm); D. 4 in. (10.2 cm)
  • Classification: Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Lent by State Museum Hyderabad
  • Rights and Reproduction: Photo by Theirry Ollivier
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art