Head of a lion

From a gateway pillar at the Amaravati Stupa
India, state of Andhra Pradesh, Amaravati Satavahana dynasty, 2nd century CE
Limestone

Transfer from the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution F1978.34
Because the Buddha was born a prince of the Shakya (lion) clan, lions often appear on early Buddhist monuments. Although a fragment, this sensitively modeled head conveys noble strength. It was originally situated atop a gateway leading to the great stupa (reliquary mound) at Amaravati. Seen from below, the king of beasts would have indeed appeared a mighty protector of the Buddhist faith.