{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O24981"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O24981/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2009BY8562/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2009BY8562/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2009BY8562","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2006BF2297","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O24981/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O24981","accessionNumber":"IS.8-1966","objectType":"Sculpture","titles":[{"title":"Nagaraja Guardstone","type":"generic title"}],"summaryDescription":"Guardstones are traditionally placed at the base of stairs leading to the platform of a <i>dagaba</i> (stupa) in Sinhalese Buddhist architecture.  They are usually in the form of <i>nagarajas</i>, subdued snake-deities who now serve the Buddha.  The <i>nagaraja</i> is represented holding a flowering stem and a vase of plenty (<i>purnaghata</i>), symbols of fertility.  This example lacks the elaborate decorative frame, with <i>makaras</i> (mythological water creatures) and flamboyant foliage, seen on the finest examples, and dates from the end of the Anuradhapura period. It would have been one of a pair, placed at the foot of the stairs leading up to a stupa to guard the reliquary mound and its sacred contents.","physicalDescription":"A male figure standing in the <i>atibhanga</i> pose ('exceeding bend', an emphatic version of the<i> tribhanga</i> or '3 bends' posture) with a <i>naga</i> (snake) hood, holding in his right hand the stalk of an elongated flower-bud and in his left a potted plant (<i>purnaghata</i>). \r\n","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"granite","id":"AAT11183"}],"techniques":[],"materialsAndTechniques":"Granite","categories":[{"text":"Sculpture","id":"THES48896"},{"text":"Buddhism","id":"THES48984"}],"styles":[{"text":"Late Anuradhapura","id":"x32264"}],"collectionCode":{"text":"SSEA","id":"THES48598"},"images":["2009BY8562","2006BF2297"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"18","id":"THES49858"},"free":"","case":"PL7","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Sculpture","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Sri Lanka","id":"x30937"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"9th century","earliest":"0800-01-01","latest":"0900-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"83","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"13/01/2026","earliest":"2026-01-13","latest":"2026-01-13"},"part":"","note":"Height visible above plinth."},{"dimension":"Width","value":"37","unit":"cm","qualifier":"Maximum","date":{"text":"13/01/2026","earliest":"2026-01-13","latest":"2026-01-13"},"part":"","note":"Maximum width visible above plinth."},{"dimension":"Depth","value":"15","unit":"cm","qualifier":"Maximum","date":{"text":"13/01/2026","earliest":"2026-01-13","latest":"2026-01-13"},"part":"","note":"Maximum depth visible above plinth."}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"Bought from Berkeley Galleries.","historicalContext":"Guardstones are traditionally placed at the base of stairs leading to the platform of a <i>dagaba</i> (stupa) in Sinhalese Buddhist architecture.  They are usually in the form of <i>nagarajas</i>, subdued snake-deities who now serve the  Buddha.  The nagaraja is represented holding a flowering stem and a vase of plenty (<i>purnaghata</i>), symbols of fertility.  This example lacks the elaborate decorative frame, with <i>makaras</i> (mythological water creatures) and flamboyant foliage, seen on the finest examples, and dates from the end of the Anuradhapura period.\n\n(One of  pair with IS 9-1966)\nA male figure standing atibhanga pose with a naga hood, holding in his right hand the stalk of an elongated flower-bud and in his left a potted plant (purnaghata).","briefDescription":"Nagaraja Guardstone, granite, Anuradhapura period, Sri Lanka, 9th century AD","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"C.E.Godakumbura,  \"Guardstones\". Ceylon Archaelogical Dept. Colombo, 1964."}],"production":"Sri Lanka","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"Nagaraja guardstone\r\n800–900\r\nAnuradhapura period\r\nSri Lanka\r\nGranite\r\nNagas, or serpent spirits, are associated with the\r\nprotection of treasure, whether in the earth or at the\r\nbottom of lakes or rivers. This figure is a nagaraja, or\r\n‘serpent spirit king’. It would have been one of a pair,\r\nplaced at the foot of the stairs leading up to a stupa\r\nto guard the reliquary mound and its sacred contents.\r\nMuseum no. IS.8-1966\r\n800–900","date":{"text":"1/4/2009","earliest":"2009-04-01","latest":"2009-04-01"}}],"partNumbers":["IS.8-1966"],"accessionNumberNum":"8","accessionNumberPrefix":"IS","accessionYear":1966,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":["2016JC3540","2019LN2557","2019LN9833","2019LP9416","2019LU6941","2019LV1093","2019LW8146"],"recordModificationDate":"2026-01-13","recordCreationDate":"2000-02-13","availableToBook":false}}