Lion throne supports such as these were found in India from at least the 1st century AD as shown on early sculptural relief. Ivory was widely used in India, from the earliest periods, for luxury furniture.
Physical description
These lions formed part of a set of throne supports. Ivory was widely used in India, from the earliest periods, for luxury furniture.This pair of lions, and a third in the British Museum, were reportedly brought from Tibet in 1904 by a member of the Younghusband Expedition. A label on the B.M lion states that it came from the Jangkor Yangsi monastery, which is situated on the north branch of the Brahmaputra River. Inscriptions on each lion are in a proto-Bengali script probably no later than the 12th century, and support Nepal as the most probable source of these sculptures.
Object history note
Acquired during the 1904 British expedition to Lhasa.
Descriptive line
Pair of throne legs, ivory, Nepal, 12th century
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
PUBLISHED
Christie’s sale cat. 6 December 1960, lot 75.
P.Chandra, The Sculpture of India 3000 B.C-1300 A.D , Washington, National Gallery of Art, 1985, p.161
p. 89
Ayers, J. Oriental Art in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London 1983, ISBN 0-85667-120-7
pl. 24
Irwin, John C., Indian Art, Victoria and Albert Museum, London: H. M. Stationery Office, 1968
fig.25
Irwin, John, C., A Brief Guide to Indian Art, H.M.S.O. 1962
fig. 25, pp. 20-21
Irwin, John; Indian Art: Victoria & Albert Museum departmental guide, H.M.S.O. ISBN 0 905209117, 1978
Labels and date
Pair of Throne Legs
1100–1200
Ivory has been used for luxury furniture in India since ancient
times. These throne legs (and a third in the British Museum)
were probably obtained in Tibet in 1904 by a member of the
Younghusband Expedition. They are said to have come from the
Jangkor Yangsi monastery situated on the north branch of the
Brahmaputra River.
Ivory
Nepal
Museum no. IS.269-1960 [14/06/2011]
A PAIR OF THRONE LEGS: Ivory, Nepal, 12th century.
These lions formed part of a set of throne supports. Ivory was widely used in India, from the earliest periods, for luxury furniture. This pair of lions, and a third in the British Museum, were reportedly brought from Tibet in 1904 by a member of the Younghusband Expedition. A label on the B.M lion states that it came from the Jangkor Yangsi monastery, which is situated on the north branch of the Brahmaputra River. Inscriptions on each lion are in a proto-Bengali script probably no later than the 12th century, and support Nepal as the most probable source of these sculptures. [Room 47A 2001]
Production Note
possibly Jangkor Yangsi monastery, Nepal
Details
- Title : Pair of throne legs
- Year : 12th century (made)
- Artist :
- Classification : Figure/ Sculpture
- Medium : Ivory
- Dimension : Height: 17.5 cm
- Accession No : IS.269&A-1960
- Country/ Geo-location : Nepal
- Culture : Hindu
- Collection : Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A)
- Acquisition Method : Acquired during the 1904 British expedition to Lhasa.
- Status : South-East Asia, Room 47a, case 1