Water Spout in the Form of a Makara
Unknown Artist
ca. 10th century
Medium
Andesite
Dimensions
H. 14 in. (35.5 cm); W. 13 7/16 in. (34.2 cm); D. 8 in. (20.3 cm); Wt. 57 lbs. (25.9 kg)
Classification
Sculpture
Culture & Period
Indonesia (Java) · Central or Eastern Javanese period
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Cynthia Hazen Polsky, 1983
Accession Number
1983.511.1
Tags
Art Historical Context
This striking andesite water spout, carved in the form of a makara around the 10th century, hails from Java, Indonesia, during the Central or Eastern Javanese period. Measuring 14 inches high and weighing a substantial 57 pounds, it once adorned a Hindu temple, channeling rainwater from rooftops through the creature's gaping mouth—a practical yet symbolic feature in ancient architecture. The makara, a fantastical hybrid beast blending elephant, crocodile, and fish elements, embodies the mythical guardian of waters in Hindu cosmology, often linked to the sacred Ganges River. Crafted from durab...