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0519 Serindia : vol.2
Serindia : vol.2 / Page 519 (Color Image)

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doi: 10.20676/00000183
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Sec. if] LIST OF PAINTINGS, TEXTILES,

ETC., FROM CHIEN-FO-TUNG I0I7

comparatively faint pink colouring, unfortunately much faded, while more solid and brilliant colouring of dress and jewels is disproportionately well preserved.

Fig. stands facing spectator before two small dark pink lotuses with copper-green centres ; both arms raised from elbow, R. holding willow spray over shoulder, L. carrying short broad-mouthed flask of mottled blue and pink on palm. Head turned slightly towards R. shoulder, with eyes downcast and serious mild expression.

Dress consists only of skirt of brilliant scarlet sprinkled with small blue trefoils, tied round hips with narrow blue girdle, and falling straightly to ankles ; and of long narrow scarf or stole of dark pink and green, wound round body from L. shoulder and hanging about arms. Copper-green sash is also loosely knotted round hips, and white draperies flutter at shoulders.

Jewellery gilded, with black outlines, set with bright scarlet, blue, and copper-green stones, and hung with strings of pearls. Tiara consists of gilded circlet with ball over forehead supporting Dhyani-buddha and high gilded ornaments at side ; but within it rises further a tall cylindrical head-piece in dark pink and green enclosing hair which overflows in a top-knot (almost effaced).

Hair about forehead and shoulders painted light blue, eyebrows copper-green. All the drawing of person in dull red except eyelashes, pupils of eyes, and dividing line of lips, which are black, and only features remaining distinct in face. Halo a large green disc wreathed with scarlet flame. Open lotus-flowers fall through air.

Inscription in L. upper corner records that painting was offered by a son in memory of his father [A. D. Waley]..For other standing figs. of Avalok., unaccompanied, cf. *Ch. oo88.

I' Io"x I' 24". Pl. LXX ; Thousand Buddhas, PI. XX.

Ch. xx. oox. Painted silk banner ; all accessories and upper end of painting lost ; remainder in fair condition. Subject : Samanlabhadra on white elephant led by Indian

attendant, the whole   L. For other examples, see Ch.
xxii. 0021 ; xlvi. ooh. S. sits on pink lotus, R. leg bent across from knee, L. hanging ; R. arm raised from elbow and held forward, L. on knee ; both hands open and held slightly downward with palm up as though bestolying gifts. Bodhisattva of type *Ch. ooz in dress and physical features, with long full oval-shaped face, large aquiline nose, blue eyes gazing down to L., and curved red lips parted and smiling. Expression gracious and benevolent. Upper part of head with halo and tiara lost.

Elephant steps forward to L., with L. forefoot raised, and head turned back towards attendant, who leads it by crimson rope. R. tusk only is visible and is triple. Harness so far as visible consists of jewelled head-stall, breast-band hung with fly-tassel and metal orns., girth, and saddle-cloth. Its skin is white, shaded with pink on breast, inside of ears, and curled trunk; toes grey. Wrinkling of loose skin down legs and at corners of small shrewd eyes is shown by series of short black lines, and animal generally is drawn with truth and expression.

The attendant is painted dark purple all over, and has low

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sq. head with coarse features, prominent jaw, straight eyes, and mass of bunchy black hair. He wears loin-cloth, girdle, narrow stole, and simple anklets, bracelets, armlets, and fillet. Under his and elephant's feet are pink and green lotuses, and to L. of S.'s head is yellow cartouche (blank) for inscr.

Colouring quiet, consisting mainly, apart from elephant's white, of very dull green carmine and purple with a little orange ; surface worn ; workmanship good.

I' I I" x 71'. Pl. LXXXII.

Ch. xx. 002. Painted silk banner ; upper end of painting and all accessories lost.

Subject : Buddha. Stands facing spectator on large lotus, R. hand raised in vilarka-nzudra, L. open before breast, palm up, second and third finger bent. Dress same as in Ch. xxiv. 005 in arrangement and colour, but mantle end thrown over L. shoulder from in front, and no cord. Face coarsely drawn, with large oblique eyes gazing down under heavy lids, elongated ears pierced and turning out stiffly at lobes, wisp-like curling moustache and imperial. The latter and eyebrows are painted greenish grey over black ; face, breast, hands, and feet a harsh yellow shaded with red and with red outlines ; ;hair a blackish-grey. Usnisa and all above lost. Lotus underfoot painted in decorative bands of white, slate, black, yellow, crimson, and green, following outline of petals. Remains of circular halo.

Silk much speckled with dirt ; work originally coarse, and colours dingy or crude.

I'8"x7

Ch. xx. 003. Silk painting representing Buddha between Bodhisattvas, with donors ; prob. Amitâbha with Mahâsthâma and Avalokite§vara. Complete border of coarse brown linen with suspension loops preserved, and upper half of silk painting. Lower half lost, but bottom end to height of 9" replaced by strip of coarse buff linen, showing two male donors kneeling on either side of blank panel for inscr.

Upper half, somewhat broken and worn, shows Buddha seated in adamantine pose on lotus, with circular vesica and halo behind, and canopy above hanging on couple of trees. On either side stands a Bodhisattva, half hidden by vesica. The Buddha has R. hand in vilarka-mudra, L. at breast with palm hanging down, second, third, and fourth fingers bent up, thumb touching second finger, and forefinger pendent. Thus mudràs practically same as Amitâbha's in Ch. xlvi. oo8. The Bodhisattvas have their hands in same poses, but hold also in half-closed hands stemless lotus buds, green and blue. Colouring and type of figs. and accessories as in large Paradise pictures (*Ch. oo5 r, *lii. 003, etc.), but work is rough. Donors as in *Ch. 00102, etc., one holding censer, the other scarlet lotus on a platter. See also Ch. 00224. Orig. size of painting with border 5' X 2' 3". H. of silk painting preserved a' tâ".

Ch. xx. 004. Silk painting with Chin. inscr., representing Six-armed Avalokileivara (Kuan-yin) with Bodhisattvas of Sun and Moon ; Maitreya and donors below ;

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