Architectural antefix in form of a makara finial
North-central Thailand, Sukhothai kilns
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.
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