Lot 38
South Asia, India, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A massive wood Simha yali head with an open mouth, jagged teeth, and a serpentine tongue - covered with paper and cloth plaster and inlaid with colored glass and painted with metallic hues of copper and silver. Simha yali, also known as vyala, and like the Buddhist kirtimukha, is a mythical lion creature in Hindu iconography and folklore. It is often depicted as a fierce feline face, typically with bared teeth and bulging eyes- here the large pupils are covered with convex glass that adds a lifelike quality to the spirit. A separate tiered finial protrudes from the head, attached via an iron bolt and 2 additional bolts on the lower verso may have mounted this head to a wall of a temple as a protective guardian. Size: 29" L x 26" W (73.7 cm x 66 cm); 39" H (99.1 cm) on included custom stand
Yalis are often depicted as fearsome and powerful creatures, and they are used as decorative elements on the walls, pillars, and other parts of Hindu temples. They serve both an aesthetic and symbolic purpose, with their presence believed to ward off evil spirits and protect the temple from harm. The concept of Yali is not exclusive to Hinduism, as similar mythical creatures can be found in the art and architecture of other cultures in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. In South India, however, Yalis are particularly prominent in temple design and are often intricately carved or sculpted in stone. The term "Vyala" may also be spelled as "Vyala" or "Vyali" in different contexts, and it is closely related to the concept of the Yali.
Provenance: private Rochester, Michigan, USA collection
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#182003
- Condition: Wear to surface, chips and abrasions to wood and losses to plaster layers, discoloration and patina. Mineral and earthen deposits on the surface. Losses to glass inlays with chips and cracks in remaining glass. Pigments are faded, but nice remaining golden hues. Finial spire is loose / separate but attaches by the original iron bolt.
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