- Title
- Architrave Fragment with a Mythical Aquatic Creature (Makara), Recut from Older Pillar or Doorjamb
- Date Made
- circa 2nd century-circa 1st century BCE
- Medium
- Mottled red sandstone
- Dimensions
- 7 1/2 x 21 3/4 x 6 1/2 in. (19.05 x 55.24 x 16.51 cm)
- Accession Number
- M.91.350.3
- Collecting Area
- South and Southeast Asian Art
- Curatorial Notes
This architrave fragment carved in Mathura’s characteristic mottled red sandstone once served as the decorated terminal of a transverse beam of an entrance gateway (torana) to a Buddhist or Jain funerary monument (stupa). A torana typically consisted of two pillars supporting two or three transverse beams that extended beyond the pillars. They can also function as decorative arches or frames around figures, and as thronebacks (see AC1999.127.20).
The two sides of the architrave fragment are each adorned with a mythical aquatic creature (makara) symbolic of fecundity. It is represented as a varying composite of diverse animals (see M.85.279.6). Here, it has the trunk of an elephant, the head and feet of a crocodile, and the scales, flexible body, and tail of a fish.
Inscribed at right angles across the top of the architrave fragment is a partial inscription in Brahmi script, which was used principally in northern South Asia from the 3rd century BCE to the early 4th century CE. The presence of the unassociated earlier inscription likely indicates that the architrave fragment was recut from an older pillar or doorjamb.
See also M.76.2.29.