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The Ophidian Iconography Quest (Mundus Vetus & Mundus Novus, 2004 - present) |
| ● COMPENDIUM'S DATABASE ● |
| ◀ Figure 081 of 090 | INDIA: LOCATIONS | SET 001 | SET 002 | SET 003 | SET 004 | Figure 083 of 090 ▶ |
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| Figure SSA-ind-082. Alexei Alexeev and the south-west view of the Ajivika Lomas Rishi Cave, the possible birthplace of the Indian rock-cut architecture, with the image of two confronted aquatic composite crocodilomorphic monsters makara, serving as the terminal accents of the decorative elephants-and-stupas frieze of the dvaratorana's pediment. The hut-style entrance façade is the earliest survivor of the ogee-shaped gavaksha ("bull/cow's eye") or chandrashala ("moon abode"), pointed horseshoe chaitya arch, a prominent feature of the ancient Indian rock-cut architecture and sculptural decoration. The possible botanical inspiration for this motif is the shape of the Bodhi Tree (Ficus religiosa, sacred fig, pippal, ashwattha tree)'s leaf. The façade's form was clearly a reproduction in stone of buildings in wood and other organic materials. |
| Medium: | Category (Object): |
Artist/Workshop: | Historical/Art Period, Date: |
Location: | Monument: |
| Granite (gneiss?) |
High relief (Dvaratorana, pedi-ment, tympanum, carved decoration, detail, in situ) |
Unknown | Magadha Kingdom, Maurya Dynasty, Ashoka the Great (r. 268-232 BC), 230s BC (?) |
Barabar Cave Complex, Bihar, North-East India |
Lomas Rishi Cave |
| Source-Image(s): The image(s) is/are from Alexei Alexeev's personal photo archive (The First Indian Expedition, 27 January - 6 March 2013). All artefacts will be available for viewing in the Compendium's respective volumes after the completion of the fully integrated iconographic database. Some of the artefacts will be represented by several figures (offering a general view and details). |
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