Vasudhara Mandala

Currently not on view

Vasudhara Mandala

c. 1504

Artist/maker unknown, Nepalese

During the fifteenth century Nepal grew rich on trade taxes between Tibet and India and even controlled the monopoly that cast Tibetan silver coins. One method of ritually perpetuating this wealth was (and is today) to worship Vasudhara, Goddess of Abundance. Here she sits in the center of a grand palace surrounded by her entourage (a format known as a mandala), while red-masked yakshas pour out bags of riches at her shoulders and golden-jeweled objects float in the red area around her. In the bottom two corners Newar devotees honor Vasudhara, not only to bring them wealth, but also to prevent rebirth in one of the hell realms so vividly rendered in the boxes along the sides.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

Vasudhara Mandala
The Goddess of Abundance in her Palace Surrounded by Hell Scenes

Date:

c. 1504

Artist:

Artist/maker unknown, Nepalese

Medium:

Colors on cloth

Dimensions:

Image: 37 5/8 × 25 3/4 inches (95.6 × 65.4 cm) Frame: 62 × 37 1/4 × 2 1/4 inches (157.5 × 94.6 × 5.7 cm)

Classification:

Paintings

Credit Line:

Stella Kramrisch Collection, 1994

Accession Number:

1994-148-608

Geography:

Made in Nepal, Asia

Context:

Dynasty: Malla Dynasty (1200-1769)

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Currently not on view