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0568 Serindia : vol.2
Serindia : vol.2 / Page 568 (Grayscale High Resolution Image)

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doi: 10.20676/00000183
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io66 CAVE-TEMPLES & ANTIQUES OF THE THOUSAND BUDDHAS [Ch. XXV

delicate. For another reproduction of Encounter, see Ch. Iv. 009.

r' 3" x 7". Thousand Buddhas, Pl. XII.

Ch. 1v. non. Painted silk banner ; upper end of painting lost and all accessories, except three out of four bottom streamers of light brown silk. Painting almost unbroken, but much worn and faded.

Subject : Dhrtarâytra, Guardian of the L'asl, or perhaps one of the Twelve Generals of Bhaisajyaraja, as Regent of the Sun. Fig. exactly in dress and style of Lokapalas of Chinese ' type descr. in *Ch. 0035 ; see also General Note, *Ch. ooro. Stands 4 L. on back and hand of demon, who rests on knees and elbows ; both hands before him lightly support arrow. In his L. hand demon grasps red scaly body of a snake with gaping crocodile jaws.

Lokapala has no mantle or tiara, but wears instead helmet with wide-curling rim and orange plume as in Ch. 0040 (but without gorget), and sausage-shaped collar clasped under chin. The most noteworthy point in dress, however, is absence of scale-armour, ground of doublet and of helmet being painted plain white. The face is human—short and round, with small slanting eyes shrewd and watchful but not ferocious. It is shaven except for slight moustache and tuft on chin.

Colouring mainly white and olive-green, lighted up by bright red and orange on details of dress. Doublet white with red borders and pleated edging at arms and thighs of olive-green ; corslet orange with appliqué discs of olive-green and red jewels; straps, breast-belt, and hip-belt dark brown ; stole red and olive-green on reverse sides ; skirt uncoloured, with folds drawn in red ; breeches white with olive border. Colouring of flesh has entirely disappeared, that of dress has much faded; but fig. remains good example of its kind both in design and execution.

Arrow apparently feathered ' with leaf-shaped metal blade as in M. Tagh. b. ooq ; its barbed end outside painting.

Painting 2' x 7', length with streamers 4' 81".

Ch. Iv. ooi8. Painted silk banner ; top and bottom of painting lost, but remainder fairly intact and colour well preserved. Small plain weighting-board painted light red ; three streamers of golden-brown silk roughly sewn to lower end.

Subject : Lokapala Viriipaksa, Guardian of the West. Stands â L. on back of demon (incomplete), who crouches on hands and knees. L. hand on top of sword, which seems to hang from belt and shows interesting details in hilt and scabbard; R. hand raised supports on forefinger scarlet lotus bearing miniature Sttüpa with elaborate base, dome, and umbrellas. Dress and general style of fig. as in *Ch. 0035 ; see also General Note, *Ch. ooro. Feet, however, in sandals, and breeches tucked into greaves.

Face human except for grotesque circular eyes with scarlet rims and a somewhat exaggerated nose of non-Chinese type. It has high cheek-bones, normal mouth, and thick pointed beard, moustache, whiskers, and curling eyebrows in a dark brown which is almost black. Ears have wide lobes, but are unpierced and of normal length.

Colouring throughout mainly strong green and crimson, with stole of dark green and grey, mantle of dark brown and black, and green halo. The small amount of scale-armour visible is yellow; as is also blank cartouche for inscr. to L. of halo. Flesh shaded with pink on natural greyish tone of silk, but general effect dark. Fig. has much force, and work good throughout.

Painting r' 6 ' x 6i", length with streamers 4' 2". Pl. LXXXV.

Ch. lv. ooig. Painted silk banner with head-piece like that of Ch. i. ooro, and side streamers of green silk, discoloured and repaired. Lower end of painting lost, but general condition good.

Subject : Bodhisattva (Avalokite§vara ?). A replica of Ch. xxvii. 003, but finished on reverse side. In front of tiara has been added small ovoid-bodied flask, white spotted with red. Colouring yellowish red (on flesh and skirt), olive-green, dark brown, and pink. Upper end of painting strengthened by patch of blue silk muslin.

Painting 2' 51" x roe", length with head-piece 3' zâ". Pl. LXXXI.

Ch. 1v. 0020. Painted silk banner ; all accessories preserved except weighting-board ; top of painting lost, but remainder in excellent condition.

Head-piece of much-frayed dark blue silk, bound with silk of faded purple ; one side streamer of sage-green plain silk, other of silk damask of same colour woven in small lozenge lattice-work; bottom streamers of brown silk orn. with clouds and flower sprays in black, as in *Ch. xvii. oor, etc. The painting has broken at top and been attached again to head-piece by patch of purple silk put on behind.

Subject : Virripâiksa, Guardian of the West. Stands R. on back of crouching demon ; R. hand raised and open with fingers spread, L. holding naked sword upright beside head. A good example of ' Chinese ' type of Lokapala descr. in *Ch. 0035 ; see also General Note, *Ch. ooro. There is, however, no mantle, and breeches aré tucked into greaves, while feet shod with sandals.

Armour-scales oblong over shoulders, body, and skirt of coat ; and beneath hip-belt, which is rather high, appears the shaped leather apr8n and flaps giving additional protection to lower part of body. A series of loose metal rings, here serving no purpose, but prob. for attachment of scabbard, etc., hang round lower edge of belt. Face middle-aged and serious, with heavy cheeks, spreading moustache, and small tuft of beard on chin. Eyes are oblique and slightly enlarged, but whole effect human, not monstrous.

Colouring entirely very light brown and pale red, with smaller quantity of darker brown and yellow and a little black. No green or blue, even on sword, the blade of which is painted light brown. Red found on skirt, breast girdle, borders of coat of mail, appliqué discs on corslet, arm-guards, and greaves, and on horn-like streamers of tiara ; pale brown on ground of corslet, arm-guards, and greaves, one side of stole, pleated edge of coat of mail, border of skirt, leather apron, and jewels; dark brown on reverse of

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