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South Indian Mythical Beast.

19th Century.

This wondrous creature has the body of a bird with fanned upturned tail and the head of a typical South Indian mythical lion, a yali, with horns, bulging eyes, beak-like snout and gaping mouth. It stands on an oval lotus base.

The beast is a curious fantasy without direct parallels in mainstream Hindu iconography, although chimeras do exist in early Indian literature. Probably best known is the Navagunjara which is made up of nine animals and appears as a form of Vishnu in an Orissan version of the Mahabharata. Winged lions can also be seen in early Indian sculpture (e.g Victoria and Albert Museum, inv. IS 712 1883) and derive ultimately from Western Asiatic models but these have bodies entirely of lions apart from the wings. The creature was probably a subsidiary element in a Hindu shrine.

Dimensions

Height 15 cm Width 14cm Depth 7 cm

Price on application





Stock number

1872
Open by appointment only

The BADA Standard

  • Since 1918, BADA has been the leading association for the antiques and fine art trade
  • Members are elected for their knowledge, integrity and quality of stock
  • Our clients are protected by BADA’s code of conduct
  • Our dealers’ membership is reviewed and renewed annually
  • Bada.org is a non-profit site: clients deal directly with members and they pay no hidden fees
Click here for more information on the BADA Standard