Attack of Mara Artist: Unknown

2nd–3rd cencury CE

Asian Art

On view, 2nd floor, Asian Art

After he revived himself following years of austerity, the historical Buddha Shakyamuni sat beneath a tree and vowed to meditate until he became enlightened. The two figures on this relief, one lay and one monastic, were part of a larger narrative showing the attack instigated by the demon Mara in a vain attempt to distract Shakyamuni and stop him from achieving enlightenment. The two demonic faces and the elephant at the top represent the members of Mara’s gang.

Medium

Gray schist

Dimensions

21 1/4 × 10 9/16 × 4 1/2 in. (53.98 × 26.83 × 11.43 cm)
base: 1 1/2 × 10 7/16 × 5 3/16 in. (3.81 × 26.51 × 13.18 cm)

Credit Line

Gift of Georgia and Michael de Havenon, B.A. 1962

Accession Number

2015.16.1

Geography

Pakistan

Culture

Pakistani, Gandharan

Period

Kushan period (ca. late 1st–early 4th century)

Classification

Sculpture

Disclaimer

Note: This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect the Yale University Art Gallery’s complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of records is ongoing.

Provenance
Michael and Georgia de Havenon, New York; gift in 2015 to the Yale University Art Gallery, New Haven, Conn.

Bibliography
  • "Acquisitions 2015," Yale University Art Gallery Bulletin: Online Supplement (accessed December 1, 2015), 24, ill
Object copyright
No Copyright - United States

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