Lintel with Anthropomorphic Dragon in Foliage
This lintel once graced the east entrance to an early Khmer brick sanctuary. Its uniqueness lies in its decoration, given to a single motif: a glaring, fearsome monster face with anthropomorphic arms and hands, emerging from luxuriant foliage. Where did such a creature originate? The protective kirttimukha (face of glory) is an ancient motif in Indian art. This mask also hints at Chinese dragons, such as the monster-faced anthropomorph in funerary sculpture of the Northern Qi and Sui dynasties (6th–7th century). This rare Khmer rendering of a monster mask is among the earliest known in a Southeast Asian context.
cat. no. 18
cat. no. 18
Artwork Details
- Title: Lintel with Anthropomorphic Dragon in Foliage
- Date: mid-7th century
- Culture: Vietnam or Cambodia
- Medium: Sandstone
- Dimensions: H. 18 1/2 in. (47 cm); W. 56 in. (142.2 cm); D. 10 in. (25.4 cm)
- Classification: Sculpture
- Credit Line: Gift of Margery and Harry Kahn, 1985
- Object Number: 1985.390.1
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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Vietnam or Southern Cambodia
mid- 7th century
Vietnam
ca. 7th century
Vietnam (Champa)
ca. first half of the 10th century
Vietnam (Champa, probably Quang Nam Province)
late 9th–10th century
Vietnam
7th–8th century
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