National Institute of Informatics - Digital Silk Road Project
Digital Archive of Toyo Bunko Rare Books

Sec. iv]   LIST OF ANTIQUES EXCAVATED AT `MINE-OI' SITE   1211

Mi. xi. 00126. Stucco relief fr. of frieze of building with acroteria ; see Mi. xi. 001 27. Between two borders of nail-head moulding is row of appliqué rosettes on yellow (?) field ; above, acroterion, triangular, with stepped sides, having scroll design on front. Cf. Mi. xii. 0028 ; Yo. 02 ; and Foucher, L'art du Gandhdra, i. Fig. 99. Acroterion Iv 2g'; total 5" long x 31". Pl. CXXXVII.

Mi. xi. 00127. Stucco relief fr. ; architectural. Corner of roof of building. From a roughly modelled mass representing the roof proper project two sq. beam-ends, each decorated with a framed quatrefoil of Gandhara style ; from each hangs an elaborate orn., Ii" long, consisting of three narrow rings, a ball, a single ring, and a long tassel with spreading ends. On beam-ends rests a narrow moulded member, showing a line of nail-head dots between plain borders. If Mi. xi. 00126 forms, as is probable, part of the same whole, this moulding was the lower frame of a 4" frieze decorated with formal rosettes with a similar moulding above, over which rose stepped acroteria or battlements decorated with a balanced design of spiral lines incised within a plain border.

Traces of dark blue on beam-ends, and of red on tassels (cf. Mi. xii. 0035-3) ; frieze border yellow (?) ; acroteria green and dark red (perhaps alternately). Cf. Mi. xi 00128 ; for tassel pendants ; see Mi. x. 0028-33 ; xi. 00129-33, 00136 ; xii. 0031-3 ; for acroteria, Mi. xii. 0028. Front face 5" long, side face 3". H. of pendant 2" ; with frieze and acroteria 5". Pl. CXXXVII.

Mi. xi. 00128. Stucco relief fr. of frieze like Mi. xi. 00127, but on smaller scale. Under-side of roof shows blue paint traces. Front face only ; three tasselled beam-ends. 31" x 24" X tin" tO A".

Mi. xi. 00129-83. Five stucco relief frs. Tassel pendants from frieze of building ; see Mi. xi. 00127. 00133 is identical, but others on larger scale, viz. 4" x

"X8".

Mi. xi. 00134. Stucco relief fr. Tree or plant ; at top leaves curve out about a flat end in centre of which is hole. Prob. used as base of fig. ; cf. Mi. xiii. 005. Same kind of leaf rises in five tiers, mostly broken. Rosette at bottom missing. Hole for wood core (sq.) up centre. No colour. Stood free, leaves on the top touching background. Soft

clay, much broken.   6-1" x 31" to 14" x 4" to 2,1".
PI. Cxxxvi.

Mi. xi. 00135. Stucco relief fr. of drapery from feet of fig. Very full with many folds. At upper edge a twisted band gathers it tightly in.. Conventional folds along bottom. Traces of red paint. 4" X 4" to 2i" X 4" to 2".

Mi. xi. 00136. Stucco relief fr. Central members apparently of large tassel pendant; see Mi. xi. 00127. Gr. M.2-"X 2i'x1r.

,Mi. xi. 00138. Stucco relief fig. of horse and rider. . Legs,of horse missing, and whole of rider except arms clasped round horse's neck. These bare from elbow

(where broken) and wearing three bracelets. Hands carefully made and nails marked.

Fig. probably fitted into a corner, for L. p. side was not (apparently) worked. If it was it is all missing, and the body is cut square across rump. Arched neck turned outwards, and mane cropped as in Greek art. Ears chipped off; eyes wide open, mouth shut ; nostrils dilated. Core hole (for plume) visible between ears and under neck.

Harness consists of head-stall (no bit) of plain leather, with bell behind ear ; tracing of beaded work from which hang alternate bells and tassels ; breeching similarly decorated ; double-peaked saddle with rounded saddle-cloth, and stirrup-leathers ; no sign of girth, under-side being left rough. For `horse millinery ', cf. Ancient Kholan, ii. Pl. LIX, D. vii. 5.

Horse is of rather stocky breed, thick-set in body, thick in neck, with small head. The legs (cf. Mi. xii. 0023-4) seem to have been rather long and slender in proportion ; in this it differs from the Shansi-Honan pottery figs. (T'ang

dynasty), ' which it otherwise resembles.   Work very
realistic and vivacious. Length ro" ; H. g'. Pl. CXXXVI.

Mi. xi. 00189. Stucco relief fig. of horse. Same scale as Mi. xi. 001 38 and probably pair to it, only L. side being worked, and rump similarly cut square. Harness similar. Head stretched forward and downwards as if in exhaustion, eyes wide, nostrils expanded, and lips drawn back. Very fine work. H. 7° ; length 131". PL CXXXVI.

Mi. xii. oor. Stucco relief fig. Male; type of *Mi. xi oo, but from different and smaller mould. Head missing. Both arms apparently bent, but broken at elbows. Usual bands, but no rosettes. Draped below hips. Broken again half-way down shin. Lotus tassel hanging from girdle along R. thigh, and marking of L. knee and drapery as in Ali. xv. oo6. Soft clay plentifully mixed with fibre. H. It" ; across shoulders 4k". Pl. CXXXVV.

Mi. xii. 002. Stucco relief head like Mi. xvii. oor. Top-knot and both ears gone, nose damaged. Lips crimson, flesh orange-pink, hair (including roll), eyebrows, and eyelashes black, white in corners of eyes. Chin to crown 2i".

Mi. xii. 003. Stucco relief fig. Kneeling male, ,nude except for loin-cloth, like Mi. x. 0012; but smaller scale. Head and R. arm missing ; L. arm bent up to breast, hand missing ; L. leg broken at knee, R. at calf. Body well modelled, in front only. Flesh red, loin-cloth green. Peg up back projects below. H. 41"; across shoulders 2*". Pl. CxxxV.

Mi. xii. 004. Stucco relief fr. Half-rosette ; as Mi. xv. 0030. Traces of red and of gilding. Diam. 3"

Mi. xii. 005. Stucco relief head. Head-dress of *Mi. xi. oo tpye 6, painted black. Face grotesque, of Mongolian type, weeping. Two heavy lines in forehead, brows contracted making ridge across nose ; eyes narrow slits, making crow's-feet at corners. Nostrils broad and flat, making deep furrows in cheeks ; mouth slightly open

7P2