What a creature do I have here?

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

Interested Party · 10th October 2022, 05:09 PM

It crossed my mind. Also, since a Germanic/Scandinavian origin was mentioned a historicism for a Viking ships prow?

Gustav · 11th October 2022, 10:16 PM

This could be a depiction of front part of a leaping horse, with saddle and reins. The upper side of head is heavily deteoriated, but we see reins, nostrils and mouth. The object is currently mounted in the wrong way. It surely was kept outside, looks like a corbel.

Gustav · 12th October 2022, 09:51 AM

That would be the correct orientation:

Gustav · 12th October 2022, 09:53 AM

Front view:

Dmitry · 19th October 2022, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gustav

This could be a depiction of front part of a leaping horse, with saddle and reins. The upper side of head is heavily deteoriated, but we see reins, nostrils and mouth. The object is currently mounted in the wrong way. It surely was kept outside, looks like a corbel.

Well-done! Great eye! I could only add that even wear on this piece may indicate that it was used for hanging things on it, or as a handle/pull.

Peter Hudson · 5th December 2022, 04:45 PM

This is A Makara ...or a Yali. Both can be portrayed in hundreds of slightly different ways and some are simply brackets while others are waterspout heads...and as dagger or sword hilts. I would consider it as a hilt form which is why both are seen as weapons hilts in Sri Lanka and South India etc.

Peter Hudson.

11th October 2022, 10:16 PM	#5
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,273	This could be a depiction of front part of a leaping horse, with saddle and reins. The upper side of head is heavily deteoriated, but we see reins, nostrils and mouth. The object is currently mounted in the wrong way. It surely was kept outside, looks like a corbel. Last edited by Gustav; 12th October 2022 at 10:05 AM.

12th October 2022, 09:51 AM	#6
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,273	That would be the correct orientation: Attached Images

12th October 2022, 09:53 AM	#7
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,273	Front view: Attached Images

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9th October 2022, 08:52 AM	#1
AHorsa Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Rhineland Posts: 375	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	#2
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	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	#3
JBG163 Member Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: France Posts: 208	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

10th October 2022, 05:09 PM	#4
Interested Party Member Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Eastern Sierra Posts: 495	It crossed my mind. Also, since a Germanic/Scandinavian origin was mentioned a historicism for a Viking ships prow?

5th December 2022, 04:45 PM	#9
Peter Hudson Member Join Date: Jul 2020 Posts: 315	This is A Makara ...or a Yali. Both can be portrayed in hundreds of slightly different ways and some are simply brackets while others are waterspout heads...and as dagger or sword hilts. I would consider it as a hilt form which is why both are seen as weapons hilts in Sri Lanka and South India etc. Peter Hudson.