Makara

anonymous, c. 800 - c. 900

The makara is a mythical creature associated with water. In Central Java, they often stood guard at temple entrances. This example has the muzzle of a dragon, the trunk of an elephant and the horns of a ram. Seated on the tongue of its wide-open mouth is a lion.

Artwork typesculpture
Object numberAK-MAK-247
Dimensionsheight 97 cm x width 99 cm x depth 37 cm, weight 322 kg
Physical characteristicsvolcanic stone (andesite)

Identification

Title(s)
Makara
Object type
Object number
AK-MAK-247
Description
Makara van de hoofdtempel van Candi Sewu in de Prambanan-regio op Midden-Java. Afkomstig van de rechterkant van de oostelijke ingang. De makara is een mythologisch waterdier met een wijd opengesperde bek en een gekrulde olifantenslurf.

Creation

Creation
sculptor: anonymous, Candi Sewu
Dating
c. 800 - c. 900
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Material and technique

Physical description
volcanic stone (andesite)
Dimensions
- height 97 cm x width 99 cm x depth 37 cm
- weight 322 kg

This work is about

Subject

Acquisition and rights

Credit line
On loan from the Royal Asian Art Society in The Netherlands (transfer Oudheidkundige Dienst Nederlands-Indië, 1931)
Copyright
Public domain
Provenance
…; collection Aerchaeological Service of the Dutch East Indies; acquired by the Vereniging van Vrienden der Aziatische Kunst, 1931; {Southworth 2017} from whom on loan to the museum, 1972’.

Documentation

- W.A. Southworth, ‘Twelve Stone Sculptures from Java’, Rijksmuseum Bulletin 65/3 (2017), pp. 244-275
- Marijke Klokke en William Southworth, 'Tracing the History of Makara AK-MAK-247 in the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam', Aziatische Kunst (2014) nr. 3, p. 17-22.
- Pauline Lunsingh Scheurleer, 'Elegante topstukjes', Aziatische Kunst 38 (2008), nr. 3, p. 40, afb. 5.
- J. Auboyer et al., Oriental art, 1978, p. 282.

Persistent URL

To refer to this object, please use the following persistent URL:
https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200106818