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13. Yama and Consort
Tibet
15th century
Copper alloy, gilt, cold gold, paint, semi-precious stones
Object 312, (gallery F, case 5, F-9)

Yama and Yami Yama, "Lord of Death" and "King of the Law" unites with his consort in the vigorous pose of fierce deities. Both wear skull-studded crowns; his is a garland of severed human heads; hers is a girdle of human bone. They are supported by Yama's vehicle, a water buffalo. Originally a Hindu deity, Yama was eventually incorporated into the Buddhist pantheon as a protector.

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text © Mary Slusser and images © Patan Museum
photo by Rupert Steiner