Eastern Javanese architectural ornaments made of earthenware display a wide variety of forms, including miniature temples, the cosmic Mount Meru, human and semidivine figures engaged in mundane and erotic activities, numerous animals and supernatural creatures in arboresque settings, and various vessels. See H. R. A. Muller, Javanese Terracottas: Terra Incognita (Lochem, The Netherlands: Tijdstroom, 1978), pp. 68-91, pls. 122-173.
This architectural ornament likely represents a crouching mythical bird, Garuda, whose anatomical features are portrayed by various floral motifs and abstracted forms. He has bulging eyes, an upturned beak shaped more like a snout, fangs, and branch-like limbs with vegetal paws and claws.
See also an Eastern Javanese Keris Handle with a Foliate Garuda (AC1998.249.268) that was later modified to serve as a netsuke.
