Pair of Mythical Lions (Vyala)
Pair of Mythical Lions (Vyala)
Place of OriginIndia, Rajasthan or Madhya Pradesh
Date11th century
Dimensions30 1/2 × 9 × 8 1/8 in. (77.5 × 22.9 × 20.6 cm)
MediumCarved red sandstone.
ClassificationSculpture
Credit LineGift of the Popplestone Family
Object number
2008.193
Not on View
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Label TextOriginally part of the sculptural decoration of a Hindu temple in either northwest or central India, these mythical creatures, called vyala, would have functioned as guardian figures for the temple entrance. Usually depicted with the body of a lion and the head of another animal, these vyala have elephant heads.- Sculpture
11th century
about 490 BCE
early 17th century
Shunga Dynasty (185-75 BCE)
19th century
19th century
425-350 BCE
about 1525-1550
about 1500
about 1250
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