Jambhala, God of Riches

9th–10th century

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 242

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.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

Title: Jambhala, God of Riches
Period: late Anuradhapura period
Date: 9th–10th century
Culture: Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura
Medium: Copper alloy
Dimensions: H. 3 11/16 in. (9.3 cm); W. 2 3/4 in. (7 cm); D. 2 3/8 in. (6 cm)
Classification: Sculpture
Credit Line: Gift of Barry Fernando, M.D. and Coleene Fernando, M.D., 2010
Object Number: 2010.475.4
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

In the same gallery

In the same medium

From the same time and place

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

Buddha Expounding the Dharma, Copper alloy, Sri Lanka (Anuradhapura) — Buddha Expounding the Dharma
Sri Lanka (Anuradhapura)
late 8th century

Buddha Offering Protection, Copper alloy with gilding, Sri Lanka, central plateau — Buddha Offering Protection
Sri Lanka, central plateau
10th century

Bodhisattva, probably Avalokiteshvara, Bronze with high tin content, Sri Lanka — Bodhisattva, probably Avalokiteshvara
Sri Lanka
ca. 8th century

Avalokiteshvara, The Bodhisattva of Infinite Compassion, Bronze, Sri Lanka — Avalokiteshvara, The Bodhisattva of Infinite Compassion
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.