Ceiling Medallion

Durga Temple, Aihole

The medallion depicts a stylized lotus pond. A school of fish, encircled by a band of lotus plants, converges radially to a central nub. The design is symmetric, with plants arranged in alternating closed and open views. The formal pattern is much enlivened by the naturalistic rendering of its fish and plant motifs. Compare: a similar medallion from Badami Cave 2, and a golden cup from Egypt's New Kingdom.