Tamil Nadu (South India)
Wood
A finely carved chariot panel depicting a fully caparisoned standing Vyali. The rearing lion is open mouthed exposing large teeth, bulging eyes and a prominent ‘sunburst’ mane. The muscular body and the torso is adorned with carved tassels. ‘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): 41.5 (H) x 20 (W) x 10 (D)
Size (inches): 16.3 (H) x 7.9 (W) x 4 (D)
