Jambhala

Object Details

• Label

  The chubby body of Jambhala, the Buddhist deity of riches, denotes prosperity. Seated comfortably on a lotus throne, he grasps a mongoose—Nakula, receptacle of all treasures—which spews jewels from its mouth. The god holds a lemon in his right hand and rests his foot on a vessel of longlife; both items are also attributes of Jambhala’s female counterpart, the goddess Vasudhara.

  The sculpture is remarkable for its dynamism and majestic presence. Jambhala’s smiling face displays traces of gold paint; his hair is painted the deep blue of lapis lazuli, which Tibetan Buddhists value for its beauty.

• Collection

  National Museum of Asian Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Encountering the Buddha: Art and Practice Across Asia (October 14, 2017 to February 6, 2022)

  Sculpture of South Asia and the Himalayas (May 4, 1988 to July 9, 2017)

• Origin

  Western Tibet

• Credit Line

  Purchase — Smithsonian Unrestricted Trust Funds

• Type

  Sculpture

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

  There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1200s

• Place

  Tibet

• Topic

  Bronze, South Asian and Himalayan Art, Nakula, Art, Animals, Jambhala, Sculpture, Lemon, Metal-work

• Culture

  Buddhists, Himalayan peoples, South Asians

• Object Type

  Sculpture