#composite creature

[arthistoryanimalia]

Deer-Crocodile Composite Creature (Astrological Sign of Capricorn)

c. 1810-20

Made in India (Kangra, Himachal Pradesh)

Opaque watercolor on paper

On display at Philadelphia Museum of Art 2010-1/6-1

“This Indian composite creature, which combines the head and front legs of a blackbuck (also known as the Indian ante-lope) with the torso and back legs of a crocodile and the tail of a fish, represents Capricorn, the tenth sign of the zodiac corresponding to December-January.

The astrological sign of Capricorn is sometimes depicted as a half-goat, half-fish creature originating from Greek myth but this particular image derives from the makara, a legendary creature in Hindu mythology.“

[siryl]

A gargoyle on the Cathedral of Santa Maria in Milan. Scanned from Holy Terrors by Janetta Rebold Benton. Photographed by the author.

[creaturesculptures]

Gargoyles of Notre Dame

[nightmaresyrup]

A Yokai a Day 17: Baku(獏)

Are composite creatures with the body of a tiger, tail of an ox and the head of an elephant. They are benevolent beings despite their intimidating size, devouring nightmares and repelling misfortune.

[sofiacreatures]

[arthistoryanimalia]

For when it’s still #FintasticFriday but #Baturday is just around the corner…

Jade pendant, bat with shark wings

Costa Rica, Central Caribbean Region, 500 BCE - 800 CE

Jade, H 15.5 x W 3 cm

Museo del Jade, Costa Rica

[arthistoryanimalia]

#TwoForTuesday: two heads are better than one?

Composite Lion and Bull

Northwest Iran, possibly Koffrabad, western Gilan Province, 1500–1000 BCE

Bronze, cast, 11.4 x 9.7 x 14.8 cm (4 1/2 x 3 13/16 x 5 13/16 in.), 0.98 kg

On display at The Cleveland Museum of Art 1969.122

Additional description from CMA:

“Combining the strength of the lion and the fertility of the bull, this creature must have served as an object of worship in a temple or shrine.”

[arthistoryanimalia]

For this #Baturday, look what I found to go along with SharkBat: CrocBat! 🐊🦇

Pendant, bat with crocodilian* wings Nicoya, Costa Rica, dated 1-500CE Stone (jadeite?), 1 3/4 × 1/4 × 5 1/4 in. (4.4 × 0.6 × 13.3 cm) Bowers Museum 2002.3.46

*🆔Both the American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) and Spectacled Caiman (Caiman crocodilus) are native to Costa Rica.

For the previously shared SharkBat, see this post:

Art History Animalia

For when it’s still #FintasticFriday but #Baturday is just around the corner… Jade pendant, bat with shark wings Costa Rica, Central Carib