GENERAL DESCRIPTION
This ivory leg of a ruler or deity's throne is completely carved in the round. The main figure, with its bared teeth and protruding tongue, is a composite mythic image, known as a shardula—a cross between a lion and a sharp-beaked bird. The shardula is associated with strength and, in particular, with cosmic power. The figure bears prominent breasts and a rounded belly, while between its legs is a female dancing figure. On the reverse side of the throne leg, the shardula is repeated, but the breasts of the central figure are considerably smaller, and at its base is a highly naturalistic scene of hunters riding an elephant through dense foliage. Thus one side of the image is a manifestation of the feminine with its breasts and a dancer, and the reverse is a symbol of masculine power and activity. The top portions of the carving may relate to the realm of the gods while the bottom reflects mundane earthly concerns, a layout often seen in the carving on Indian temple architecture. The detailed carving on this throne leg suggests that it was intended to be seen and appreciated, indicating that the entire throne may have been elevated.
Adapted from
- Catherine B. Asher, "Throne leg" in The Arts of India, South East Asia, and the Himalayas, Anne R. Bromberg (Dallas: Dallas Museum of Art; New Haven: Yale University Press, 2013), 118-119.
- Anne Bromberg, Label text, 2003.
NOTES
Fun fact adapted from catalogue essay and wikipedia page on Orissa.
Leaving provenance blank as I cannot verify the existing information in TMS without the object file (not assembled as of 11/6/18). CLC.
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Geography
Odisha: AAT: 7016694
India (nation): TGN: 7000198
Process/materials
carving (processes): AAT: 300053149
ivory (material): AAT: 300011857
Historical periods
Mughal: AAT: 300018939
eighteenth century: AAT: 300404512
seventeenth century (dates CE): AAT: 300404511
Individuals
Subject terms
beaks (animal components): AAT: 300400475
birds (animals): AAT: 300266506
creatures: AAT: 300379697
dancer: AAT: 300025653
divinity: AAT: 300055981
elephant (animals/elephantidae family): AAT: 300250160
female: AAT: 300189557
gender (sociological concept): AAT: 300411835
Hinduism: AAT: 300073727hunters (people): AAT: 300025619
hybridity: AAT: 300262022
lions (animals/panthera leo species): AAT: 300310388
male: AAT: 300189559
mythical or legendary beings: AAT: 300375725
power: AAT: 300374809
teeth (animal components): AAT: 300400467
Temples: AAT: 300007595
throne (ceremonial chairs): AAT: 300038141
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FUN FACTS
- The appearance of the shardula's birdlike face with a downward-pointed beak, bulbous eyes, and upward-ruffled feathers/mane is reminiscent of the crisp style of carving, drawing, and painting associated with Orissa (Odisha), an Indian state along the Bay of Bengal.
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General Description
This ivory leg of a ruler or deity's throne is completely carved in the round. The main figure, with its bared teeth and protruding tongue, is a composite mythic image, known as a shardula—a cross between a lion and a sharp-beaked bird. The shardula is associated with strength and, in particular, with cosmic power. The figure bears prominent breasts and a rounded belly, while between its legs is a female dancing figure. On the reverse side of the throne leg, the shardula is repeated, but the breasts of the central figure are considerably smaller, and at its base is a highly naturalistic scene of hunters riding an elephant through dense foliage. Thus one side of the image is a manifestation of the feminine with its breasts and a dancer, and the reverse is a symbol of masculine power and activity. The top portions of the carving may relate to the realm of the gods while the bottom reflects mundane earthly concerns, a layout often seen in the carving on Indian temple architecture. The detailed carving on this throne leg suggests that it was intended to be seen and appreciated, indicating that the entire throne may have been elevated.
Adapted from
- Catherine B. Asher, "Throne leg" in The Arts of India, South East Asia, and the Himalayas, Anne R. Bromberg (Dallas: Dallas Museum of Art; New Haven: Yale University Press, 2013), 118-119.
- Anne Bromberg, Label text, 2003.
Fun Facts
- The appearance of the shardula's birdlike face with a downward-pointed beak, bulbous eyes, and upward-ruffled feathers/mane is reminiscent of the crisp style of carving, drawing, and painting associated with Orissa (Odisha), an Indian state along the Bay of Bengal.
Archival Resources
Web Resources
Notes
Fun fact adapted from catalogue essay and wikipedia page on Orissa.
Leaving provenance blank as I cannot verify the existing information in TMS without the object file (not assembled as of 11/6/18). CLC.
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Geography
Odisha: AAT: 7016694
India (nation): TGN: 7000198
Process/materials
carving (processes): AAT: 300053149
ivory (material): AAT: 300011857
Historical periods
Mughal: AAT: 300018939
eighteenth century: AAT: 300404512
seventeenth century (dates CE): AAT: 300404511
Individuals
Subject terms
beaks (animal components): AAT: 300400475
birds (animals): AAT: 300266506
creatures: AAT: 300379697
dancer: AAT: 300025653
divinity: AAT: 300055981
elephant (animals/elephantidae family): AAT: 300250160
female: AAT: 300189557
gender (sociological concept): AAT: 300411835
Hinduism: AAT: 300073727hunters (people): AAT: 300025619
hybridity: AAT: 300262022
lions (animals/panthera leo species): AAT: 300310388
male: AAT: 300189559
mythical or legendary beings: AAT: 300375725
power: AAT: 300374809
teeth (animal components): AAT: 300400467
Temples: AAT: 300007595
throne (ceremonial chairs): AAT: 300038141
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