What a creature do I have here?

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

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?

8th October 2022, 10:11 AM	#2
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	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	#3
JBG163 Member Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: France Posts: 208	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

9th October 2022, 08:52 AM	#4
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	#5
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	#6
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	#7
Interested Party Member Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Eastern Sierra Posts: 494	It crossed my mind. Also, since a Germanic/Scandinavian origin was mentioned a historicism for a Viking ships prow?