graaha/nakra/makara

[Allen W Thrasher]

Doesn't A.K. Coomaraswamy have a long discussion on the makara in art
(mostly sculpture) somewhere, maybe in "Yaksas"?

The 19th or 20th c. paintings of the makararasis I mentioned never look
like the makaras in the classic sculpture, as outlined by John
Huntington.  Notably the elephant features and wings are never there.  I
don't think I've seen these in the depictions of the Gajamocana, either.
  I think I've seen the classic makaras in contemporary crafts, namely
on sandalwood letter-openers.

I have collected a few of the makararasis from horoscopes out of an
interest in the depiction of mythological animals and could do digital
photos and email them to individuals who are interested.

Allen

Allen W. Thrasher, Ph.D.
Senior Reference Librarian
Southern Asia Section
Asian Division
Library of Congress
Jefferson Building 150
101 Independence Ave., S.E.
Washington, DC 20540-4810
tel. 202-707-3732
fax 202-707-1724
athr at loc.gov
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