Large Painted Wooden Buddhist Yaksha

A large wooden Buddhist statue with hands raised over the head, possibly a Yaksha.

This is a very unusual carved wooden figure from the Himalaya regions, probably a yaksha. Yakshas exist in Hindu mythology but also in Buddhism where they are said to be nature spirits, one of the eight nonhuman beings mentioned by the Buddha.

They are said to support the Dharma and are portrayed either as fearsome warriors, portly, stout and dwarf-like. But they can also be malevolent. It is said that when Padmasambhava left Tibet he went to conquer the troublesome yakshas.

A Tibetan lama friend living in Sheffield has seen something similar in Tibet standing behind a main shrine. He thinks it possible that the hands are raised above the head in a position to be able to hold the world.

The details on the back of the figure represent the sun and moon, possibly indicating that they exist in the spirit world, out of time and space.

The multicoloured paint is peeling in places, mostly where it has weathered on the top of the head.

A very heavy piece. Although the website appears to allow to have this item delivered, it is collection only.

Dimensions: Height 120cm