 |
Mathura: Lion Capital
|
| |
|
Mathura: Lion Capital
INDIA, Uttar Pradesh, Mathura; circa 1st century BCE–1st century CE; Sandstone; H: 34 cm; British Museum, London, United Kingdom
Unearthed from Mathura, the work once served as the capital of a column. A hole at the bottom was used to fix it to the column. Inscriptions cover the entire piece apart from the head and the square tablet, stating the name of the donor and its purpose as an offering to the Triple Gem: Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. The sculpture consists of two stylized lions joined back-to-back. A rectangular stone block decorated with tendrils divides the lion’s backs. It has been suggested that the design owes something to ancient Persia, since a capital with twin bulls joined back to back was discovered from an excavated palace. The twin bulls were dated to early 8th century BCE. |
