Lot 3374

Description

Indonesia-Malaysia, a large iron makara, 180mm high x 110mm wide x 40mm, (wt. 700g), as an animal head stag? with a fish tail. Very fine and interesting.

Makara is a sea-creature in Hindu mythology. It is generally depicted as half terrestrial animal (in the frontal part in animal forms of elephant or crocodile or stag, or deer) and in hind part as aquatic animal, in the tail part, as a fish tail or also as a seal. 'Makara' is a Sanskrit word which means 'sea dragon' or 'water-monster' and in Tibetan language it is called the 'chu-srin'. It also denotes a hybrid creature. In Hindu iconography, Makara is represented as the vahana ('vehicle') of Ganga the goddess of the river Ganges and the sea god Varuna. A row of makara may run along the wall of a Hindu temple, or form the hand rail of a staircase.