| Sam Haverkamp wrote: |
| The Chimera is typically a Character seen on pieces inspired by Italian Grotesque. I have not been able to find a similar chinese or other asian example that was so close to this fantasy creature and not quite a bit more dragon-ish. Many of the pieces of European Parade armour In my collection have very similar creatures. So why the western influence? This is all just guessing of course..... |
There isn't necessarily Western influence. Buddhist mythology contains quite enough dragons, demons and other assorted supernatural beings on its own. You don't see them too much in China, probably due to Confucian and Taoist influences that were there before Buddhism, but you'll see them all over the place if you go to Penang, Singapore, India or a number of other places where the Buddhism is a little bit less Chinese.