COLLECTION NAME:
The AMICA Library
Record
AMICA ID:
AIC_.1997.714
AMICA Library Year:
1999
Object Type:
Sculpture
Creator Nationality:
Asian; Indian Sub-Continent; Indian
Creator Dates/Places:
Asia,South Asia,India,Uttar Pradesh (state)
Creator Name-CRT:
Asia,South Asia,India,Uttar Pradesh (state)
Title:
Rampant Mythical Lions (Vyala)
Title Type:
preferred
View:
front view
Creation Date:
8th - 9th cen.
Creation Start Date:
701
Creation End Date:
900
Materials and Techniques:
Sandstone; architectural fragment
Classification Term:
Sandstone
Subject Description:
A vyala is a lion made fantastic by the addition of horns and an elaborate foliate tail. Between about the seventh and the tenth century the lion was a common motif in western and central Indian temple architecture. Usually shown in a lively, rearing, contorted posture, as if dancing, vyala were placed in recesses on the exterior walls of temples, alternating and seemingly interacting with the languid celestial nymphs on the projecting transepts, as if to embody the contrast between beauty and the beast,between repose and action.
Dimensions:
L: 73.7 x 22.9 x 12.7 cm (29 x 9 x 5 in.), R: 72.7 x 21.6 x 16.2 cm (28 5/8 x 8 1/2 x 6 3/8 in.)
AMICA Contributor:
The Art Institute of Chicago
Owner Location:
Chicago, Illinois, USA
ID Number:
1997.714
Credit Line:
The Art Institute of Chicago, Gift of Marilynn B. Alsdorf
Related Image Identifier Link:
AIC_.E32331.TIF
