Exquisite Carved Yali Vahana Sculpture with Patina

Name: Yali Vahana
SKU: PA 00252
Availability: InStock

Yali Vahana

Karnataka

Wood

A finely carved Yali vahana with excellent patina. The yali’s open mouth, with large exposed teeth and a long curved tongue extended to its snout, gives it a mischievous appearance. Its large bulging eyes are sandwiched between small upturned ears. The muscular torso is adorned by a diamond-shaped pendant.

‘Yali’ or ‘Vyala’ denotes a mythical lion faced animal that appears on carved friezes on temple walls. They are fierce, leonine beasts with curvaceous bodies and enlarged heads surrounded by flame-like manes. They rear up on hind legs, the forelegs held out with clenched claws as if to pounce. Sometimes they are shown standing on human heads presumably of the demons that they have vanquished. In southern Indian sculpture from the 16th century onwards figures of rearing, almost three dimensional vyalis bearing heads either of horned lions or elephants and feline bodies guard the entrances of temples and line the approaches leading to sanctuaries.

Size (cms): 65(H) x 29(W) x 61(D)
Size (inches): 25.5(H) x 11.5(W) x 24(D)