# Architectural Strut with the Dikpala, Isana, Standing on a Bull

- By: Nepal (Kathmandu Valley)
- Date: 17th century
- Medium: Wood with traces of red pigment
- Classification: Architectural fragment
- Dimensions: 74 × 16.8 × 10.3 cm (29 1/8 × 6 5/8 × 4 1/16 in.)
- Culture: Nepal
- Credit line: James W. and Marilynn Alsdorf Collection
- Museum: [Art Institute of Chicago](https://www.artic.edu/artworks/104983)
- Rights: [Public domain (CC0)](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- Picture: https://www.artic.edu/iiif/2/6ff24bba-8890-cea0-1942-840045f93608/full/!1920,1080/0/default.jpg
- Who can see it: Little Ones profiles and older (museums give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the museum's own words)

This wooden architectural strut would have been used to support one of the multi-tiered roofs of a shrine in the Kathmandu Valley. The figure carved into this strut is the deity Isana, identifiable by his trident, snake, and animal vehicle, the bull. Isana is one of the guardians of the eight directions (Astadikpalas), found in both Hindu and Buddhist traditions. The base of the strut is inscribed with the name of the donor, Jakasañ.

Description © Art Institute of Chicago, CC BY 4.0