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Head of Garuda (The Royal Solar Bird)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The sculpture depicts the head of Garuda, the Royal Solar Bird. The head is angled to the left. The face has a long nose and a closed mouth with a slight smile. The right eye is visible, while the left eye is not. The sculpture has a beard made of small curls. On the right side of the head, there is a carved bird's head. The top of the head is adorned with a band featuring a rope-like design. The sculpture appears to be made of stone or metal and has a weathered appearance. It is mounted on a black stand. The background of the image is a plain gray color. The overall style of the sculpture suggests it is an ancient or traditional piece, likely from Southeast Asia.

Artwork Details

Date
ca. 5th–6th century
Medium
Terracotta
Culture
India
Dimensions
537 × 625 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette