Architectural antefix in form of a makara finial

late 14th–15th century

Not on view

This architectural finial for a temple has assumed the form of a mythical dragon creature, clearly derived from the Indic makara but with strong indigenous elements, such as the prominence given to the snake-like body rather than that of the more traditional crocodile. Here the bearded dragon appears to emerge from the jaws of a makara, represented at the base of the finial. Temple building at Sukhothai was in both laterite and fired brick, rendered with a thick dressing of stucco and with the addition of architectural adornments and antefixes in both sandstone and, as seen here, in glazed ceramic.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

References

Title: Architectural antefix in form of a makara finial
Date: late 14th–15th century
Culture: North-central Thailand, Sukhothai kilns
Medium: Stoneware with iron-brown underglaze décor
Dimensions: H. 27 3/4 in. (70.5 cm); W. 6 3/4 in. (17.1 cm); D. 7 1/4 in. (18.4 cm)
Classification: Ceramics
Credit Line: Gift of Samuel and Gabrielle Lurie, 2019
Object Number: 2019.570.9
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

Platter (Ōzara) with Pine Tree, Stoneware with underglaze iron oxide decoration (Hizen ware, Karatsu type), Japan — Platter (Ōzara) with Pine Tree
Japan
early 17th century

Kendi in the Form of a Hamsa (Gander), Earthenware with cream white glaze and iron-brown underglaze decoration, Thailand (Si Satchanalai) — Kendi in the Form of a Hamsa (Gander)
Thailand (Si Satchanalai)
14th–ca. mid-16th century

Dish with Recumbent Elephant Surrounded by Clouds, Stoneware with underglaze cobalt-blue decoration, Vietnam — Dish with Recumbent Elephant Surrounded by Clouds
Vietnam
15th–16th century

Ewer in the Form of a Phoenix, Stoneware with underglaze cobalt blue decoration, Vietnam — Ewer in the Form of a Phoenix
Vietnam
ca. 15th–16th century

Ewer (Suichū) with Cherry Blossoms and Picnic Curtain
, Stoneware with iron underglaze and copper-green glaze (Mino ware, Narumi Oribe type), Japan — Ewer (Suichū) with Cherry Blossoms and Picnic Curtain
Japan
early 17th century

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.