Yama as Dharma, the Judge of the Deceased with His Consorts (miniature stele)

Description

This miniature stele (partially broken on one side) depicts the God of Death, Yama, flanked by his consorts. Yama is depicted in his aspect as the Judge of the Deceased, Dharma, which is suggested by the balance he holds in his hands with two figures on each extreme of the scale. His consorts each carry a bowl and a different type of spear. He was probably originally surrounded by four of them, two on each side, but only three now remain.

Provenance

(John Siudmak Asian Art, London, England, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art) (?–1982); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (1982–)

Yama as Dharma, the Judge of the Deceased with His Consorts (miniature stele)

[]

800s

Accession Number

1982.134

Medium

schist

Dimensions

Overall: 6 x 12 cm (2 3/8 x 4 3/4 in.)

Classification

Sculpture

Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland, United States

Credit Line

Gift of Willard G. Clark