Temple of Curiosity
Classification
architecture
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council
Accession Number
1911-28-463
About this artwork
Steps lead to a platform with seated warriors at the corners, more steps lead to the colonnade surrounding the bottom part of a circular temple. The top of the wall at the rear of the colonnade is surrounded by a frieze. Steps rise over the entablature upon which a tambour supports a dome. Festoons connect bull's eyes in the tambour. A group of figures supporting an eye sphere is shown on a pedestal at the front side of the dome.