Parkham Yaksha, Stone statue at Government Museum Mathura, India
The Parkham Yaksha is a stone sculpture at the Government Museum Mathura that displays skilled craftsmanship from its period. The work shows carefully carved details and a well-defined form that represents human features with careful attention to proportion and balance.
The statue was created around 150 BCE by eight brothers from a particular family, as shown by an inscription in ancient script on the base. This inscription helps scholars understand the exact origin and purpose of the artwork.
The figure represents Manibhadra, a protective deity for merchants and a force against disease in ancient Indian tradition. It held deep meaning for people involved in trade and business.
The artwork is displayed in a climate-controlled museum where it is well protected and easy to view. You can examine it from multiple angles and study the carving details up close.
The inscription on the base is one of only four known written references to this particular Yaksha form in the archaeological record. This makes the piece a rarely documented source for understanding how this religious figure was portrayed.
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