Madhya Pradesh Lion

Posted by lawis under Uncategorised
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Crouching lion
11th century
Madhya Pradesh, India
1998-00473
NHB Collections
Asian Civilisations Museum

This is a sculpture of the crouching lion that originated from India.

Lions are known as icons of royalty, and give the impression of a strong, yet gentle ruler. Thus, it is not surprising that the title of ‘king of beasts’ or ‘king of the jungle’ is often bestowed upon this majestic animal. India is no exception, as Hinduism elevates the lion to god-like status, stating that the 4th incarnation of their supreme God, Vishnu, takes the form of a man-lion, Narasimha.

In my opinion, I agree that the lion is an animal that is deserving of such links to royalty, further emphasized by its mane, giving it an august presence. I feel that the creators of this artefact share similar views with me, as the mane is crafted niftily with great detail, and decorated elegantly with frills. The act of crouching implies that it is ready to strike, mouth wide open, letting loose an awe-inspiring roar. Overall, this artefact has successfully managed to capture the lion in an elegant, yet powerful position with utmost detail and intricacy, despite its age, portraying the splendidness of the lion that transcends time.

Tags: SGCool Contest, Madhya Pradesh Lion, Asian Civilisations Museum