What a creature do I have here?

M ELEY · 8th October 2022, 07:41 AM

19th c? I would have guessed earlier

Yes, it is a strange mystery. The reasons I thought of the Singhalese connection was directly because of the strange 'collar' design of the neck on yours resembling some kastane hilts, plus the positioning of the ears on yours again similar. Many of the designs for the hilts were, much like kris hilts, very abstract. The Shri Lankans used many symbols of stylized lions in their art, weapons, currency and, of course, flags. Furniture, by the same token, began using lions as claw feet in the early Baroque period. I was hoping someone far more knowledgeable would swoop in to help us at this point!

AHorsa · 8th October 2022, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M ELEY

19th c? I would have guessed earlier

The furniture parts are 19th century (I guess). I am with you that the carved head might be earlier.

M ELEY · 8th October 2022, 10:11 AM

It might be lack of sleep (I'm a night shift nurse), but I had some other thoughts on this piece. The finish on it appears rough, but not just from age, but as if made that way? If so, probably not furniture. The open 'mouth' could be to hold a rope (banner? A sail rope?) or bannister if this item were flat/vertical against a wall? From my nautical interests, I even contemplated if this were a cat's head or some figurehead for a Thai prow! You see what sleep deprivation can produce!?

https://www.scottishmaritimemuseum.o...ark-cats-head/

JBG163 · 8th October 2022, 09:34 PM

Looks to me like it depict a Makara, an indian sea creature with an elephant trunk. (to me, the trunk is reversed back the nose/head). First picture from the Guimet Museum, second my vision of the trunk, and last, the two trunk hole from above

AHorsa · 9th October 2022, 08:52 AM

Thank you for your replies and thoughts!

I think the Makara might be a pretty possible solution!

Kind regards!

M ELEY · 9th October 2022, 11:36 AM

That really does fit the bill nicely! Now we can ponder if it was a piece from a temple, wall mount or as originally depicted, lying flat on a surface and possibly as a decoration for a larger piece of furniture. Altar???

JBG163 · 9th October 2022, 12:03 PM

Makara is a creature serving Varuna, the god of water. Makara are considered guardian of doors and entrance, and are generally depicted in hindouist architecture. Mostly as gargoyles or corbel. The heavy weathered state of the sculpture would indicate an outdoor use in my opinion

8th October 2022, 10:11 AM	#3
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,228	It might be lack of sleep (I'm a night shift nurse), but I had some other thoughts on this piece. The finish on it appears rough, but not just from age, but as if made that way? If so, probably not furniture. The open 'mouth' could be to hold a rope (banner? A sail rope?) or bannister if this item were flat/vertical against a wall? From my nautical interests, I even contemplated if this were a cat's head or some figurehead for a Thai prow! You see what sleep deprivation can produce!? https://www.scottishmaritimemuseum.o...ark-cats-head/ Last edited by M ELEY; 8th October 2022 at 10:22 AM.

8th October 2022, 09:34 PM	#4
JBG163 Member Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: France Posts: 209	Looks to me like it depict a Makara, an indian sea creature with an elephant trunk. (to me, the trunk is reversed back the nose/head). First picture from the Guimet Museum, second my vision of the trunk, and last, the two trunk hole from above Attached Images

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8th October 2022, 07:41 AM	#1
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,228	19th c? I would have guessed earlier Yes, it is a strange mystery. The reasons I thought of the Singhalese connection was directly because of the strange 'collar' design of the neck on yours resembling some kastane hilts, plus the positioning of the ears on yours again similar. Many of the designs for the hilts were, much like kris hilts, very abstract. The Shri Lankans used many symbols of stylized lions in their art, weapons, currency and, of course, flags. Furniture, by the same token, began using lions as claw feet in the early Baroque period. I was hoping someone far more knowledgeable would swoop in to help us at this point!

9th October 2022, 08:52 AM	#5
AHorsa Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Rhineland Posts: 393	Thank you for your replies and thoughts! I think the Makara might be a pretty possible solution! Kind regards!

9th October 2022, 11:36 AM	#6
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,228	That really does fit the bill nicely! Now we can ponder if it was a piece from a temple, wall mount or as originally depicted, lying flat on a surface and possibly as a decoration for a larger piece of furniture. Altar???

9th October 2022, 12:03 PM	#7
JBG163 Member Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: France Posts: 209	Makara is a creature serving Varuna, the god of water. Makara are considered guardian of doors and entrance, and are generally depicted in hindouist architecture. Mostly as gargoyles or corbel. The heavy weathered state of the sculpture would indicate an outdoor use in my opinion