Sphere with Scenes of Rites at the Shrine of a Yaksha (Male Nature Spirit)

Sphere with Scenes of Rites at the Shrine of a Yaksha (Male Nature Spirit)

I have chosen to compare two Mauryan art items. They are quite similar even though they depict different things. The "Dish with a Bee Pollinating a Lotus" is from 2nd Century B.C. and depicts exactly what the title says, a bee pollinating a flower, while the "Sphere with Scenes of Rites at the Shrine of a Yaksha (Male Nature Spirit)" is from 3rd Century B.C. is depicting a nature spirit. Many people have never heard of nature spirits, but they were very important to the Mauryan culture. I have chosen these two objects to compare, because they are both depicting nature. The Male Nature Spirit is tasked with caring for nature and bees can be found in nature doing their jobs. They pollinate flowers for a living and the Male Nature Spirit makes sure that nothing bad happens during those daily tasks. Obviously that doesn't mean everyone is all of a sudden going to care about Mauryan Art, but we should remember that even back in the early centuries they cared about their environment. They took care of their world and they believed in spirits who cared for nature.

"India"

"Dimensions: H. 1/16 in. (0.1 cm); Diam. 1 3/16 in. (3 cm)
Weight: Under 40 lbs. (estimate)
Classification: Sculpture"

"Stone"