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

of about 24 ft. Near its approximate centre a shaft, about 3 ft. in diameter, had been sunk
to the natural ground, undoubtedly by 'treasure-seekers'. Owing to erosion of the surrounding
ground, the ruin seems now to stand on a mound 7 to 8 ft. high. From the large quantity of
broken bricks strewing the slopes of the latter and the ground close by, it appears probable
that this square mass of masonry may have once served as the base of a small Stūpa. The
bricks, formed of fairly hard sun-dried loess, showed the same average dimensions as at the
first small ruin. On none of them could I trace any mark.

The general impression I gained was that the eroded site, which was said to cease not General
far to the north of this structure, was of considerable antiquity. Being on the track of the character
woodcutters from Yurung-kāsh and the neighbouring tracts, it is often searched for any small of site.
objects which the winds may lay bare on the eroded loess surface. The only small antique
said to have been obtained here which I was able to acquire at Yurung-kāsh is a terra-cotta
handle (J. 001) enriched with an excellently moulded acanthus leaf. In texture and eroded
appearance it closely resembles some pieces said to have been brought from 'Ak-sipil', and not
much dependence can be placed on its alleged origin.

My visit to Jumbe-kum had sufficed to convince me that there were no remains there
capable of excavation. Thus, when on April 19 I started from my Rawak camp back to
Khotan in the midst of a violent sandstorm, soon followed by a drenching downpour of rain,
I had the satisfaction of knowing that the programme of my explorations in the desert was
completed.

SCULPTURES EXCAVATED AT THE RAWAK VIHĀRA.

R. ii. 1. Stucco relief Buddha head, approx. life-size.
Red clay, orig. whitewashed over; black for eyelashes,
trace of red ṭikā; eyes nearly closed. Hair in rich curls;
small top-knob; small chin, ears elongated. 10″ top-
knob to below chin, 5¾″ ear to ear. Well-preserved, with
hollow for wood frame (rotted). See Pl. LXXXII.

R. ii. 2. Stucco relief fragments, 10 pieces. Red clay,
traces of white and red washes. Portion of plaque form-
ing halo above head of figure; curve of perfect edge
elliptical. Perfect edge bordered with cloud-scroll. Within
this upper portion, seated Buddha, cross-legged, hands in
lap, L. p. resting in palm of R.; face indistinct; ears
elongated and pierced; top-knob; single robe; nimbus at
back of head; the whole in vesica formed of lotus, centre
of which is treated as rays. Top R. p. of figure a small
lotus; below L. p. another. Immediately below figure
double fleur-de-lis ornament, representing a Vajra; below
and to L. p. of this, small lotus. All ornaments appliqué.
Portion re-united on restored background. 11¾″ high,
7⅛″ across. Very friable. See Pl. LXXXIII.

R. ii. 3. Stucco relief fragments.
a. Vesica with seated Buddha. Replica R. ii. 2.
b. Similar to a. See Pl. LXXXVII.

R. iv. 1. Stucco relief; head of Bodhisattva, over
life-size. Red clay, orig. colour-washed; white eyeballs;
traces of black eyelashes, and dark colour on lips. Single
long ringlet of hair in front of each ear. Ears well
modelled, elongated, and slit; eyes partly closed; small
nose, mouth, and chin. On left of head passing over R. ii-xi.
L. ear, ornamental band, with jewel; R. missing. Top
of head broken away. 10⅜″ from below chin upwards,
8″ ear to ear. Hollow for wood frame (rotted) and
broken at back. Very friable. See Pl. LXXXI.

R. vi. Stucco relief head of Bodhisattva, life-size.
Red clay, orig. red-washed; white eyeballs and traces
of black eyelashes, and dark colour on lips. Pink ṭikā;
eyes almost shut; small nose, mouth, and chin; hair rich,
curled; ears elongated (broken). Top and back of head
broken. Hollow for frame. 9″ from top of head to below
chin, 6⅛″ between ears. Friable. See Pl. LXXXIII.

R. xi. 1. Stucco relief fragments; 4 principal pieces.
Replica of portion of R. ii. 2, but cloud-scrolls much more
elaborate; petals forming outer ray of vesica more elabo-
rate; vesica much broken. Vajra and small lotuses
(excepting one) absent. Size of vesica 3⅜″ × 2⅜″. Cloud-
scroll 4″ × 2¾″. Lotus fragment 1⅜″ × 1¼″. Portion of
cloud-scroll 1⅜″ × 1⅜″. Very friable. See Pl. LXXXVII.

R. xii. 1. Stucco relief figure of Buddha, from vesica.
Red clay; traces of whitewash over red-wash all over.
Standing male figure; portion below middle of thighs
missing. Single, flowing robe. R. p. hand raised
(broken), L. p. hand raised to chest grasping loose
drapery. Head resting against nimbus. Eyes small;
nose broad; ears slightly elongated. Hair simple, with
top-knob. Height 13⅜″. Width below shoulders 6″.
Friable. See Pl. LXXXVI.