Artwork preview

Architectural Frieze with Merman Playing Musical Instruments

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Long, beige-colored stone frieze carved with repeating pattern of acanthus leaves and scrolls. A merman playing a musical instrument appears multiple times. The merman has a fish tail and is depicted playing a lyre. He is surrounded by foliage. The frieze is broken in the middle, with a gap between two pieces. The background is beige with a light source coming from the top right.

Artwork Details

Date
2nd–3rd century
Medium
Red sandstone
Culture
India (Uttar Pradesh, Mathura)
Dimensions
596 × 79 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette