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Ivory throne leg
From the collection of National Museum of Asian Art (Freer/Sackler). Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
Since at least the second century, Indian sculptors created ivory thrones to proclaim royal command. On this splendidly carved throne leg, a gajasimha--a mythical creature combining the strength of an elephant (gaja) and a lion (simha)--calmly dispatches the demonic warrior dangling from its trunk. The sculptor contrasted the forceful curves and broad smooth surfaces of the elephant-lion with an intricately realized mountain landscape. Archers and wildlife gambol through its crags, while a hermit meditates and a lion slumbers.
National Museum of Asian Art (Freer/Sackler)’s own descriptionSubjects
Credit lineIvory throne leg. 13th century. National Museum of Asian Art (Freer/Sackler), Gift of Charles Lang Freer. CC0.
