DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.2371#0343
iTEST CAVES AT AJANTA. 321
part of the porch, like all the others, have square bases and
elaborately carved bracket capitals. Above the bases they are first
octagonal, then there is a belt of 16 faces, above which they are
fluted with bands of beautifully elaborate tracery up to the thick
compressed cushion between two fillets, on which rests the carved
fascia under the capital. The next pillars on either side are similarly
rich in carving, but have narrower bands of tracery round the upper
portion of the fluting, and their flutes are spiral. Outside these are
two octagonal pillars with three bands of tracery round them, sup-
porting a very deep square carved fascia under the bracket capital.
The pilasters beyond these have short fluted necks with tracery
above and below them, more like what we should work in metal
than attempt in stone. The central compartment in each capital
has its own group of human figures.
The architrave all along the front is sculptured; (Plate XLI.)
above each column there is a compartment containing human figures
only; at the corners are terminal figures apparently intended for
lions or sdrdillas; and the remaining spaces are filled principally
with elephants in every variety of attitude, and cut with great spirit
and correctness.
The part over the front of the porch has been mostly destroyed
when the pillars gave way, but from a fragment that remains, the
lower frieze or architrave seems to have been filled with groups of
figures, possibly scenes from the life of Buddha. The left side is
carved with elephants fighting, and with the figure of a rider on a
'l''ti'i<i. at the corners. Continuing the same member along the facade
0 tae ^ft, after the usual corner sdrdula, we have representations of
0 figures beating drums and one playing on some sort of flute fol-
ded by others with Nepalese swords, oblong shields, three figures
on norseback, one blowing a long trumpet, then three elephants and
'other horse with their riders. The next to the left is an in-door
^ene' a raja and his wife in earnest converse with three attendants.
wide, a saddled horse is being led out towards a tree, and to the
. .18 a "ttle figure carrying a bag on his back towards two figures
mg and talking under foliaa-e with birds in it. Beyond these a
a,. • ^ ePllant stands facing a man sitting at the foot of a tree with
lc ln his hand. Then comes another in-door scene, in which
1 e has her arms round her husband's neck and two female
sehold servants (dads) stand by. Outside are four elephants, the
part of the porch, like all the others, have square bases and
elaborately carved bracket capitals. Above the bases they are first
octagonal, then there is a belt of 16 faces, above which they are
fluted with bands of beautifully elaborate tracery up to the thick
compressed cushion between two fillets, on which rests the carved
fascia under the capital. The next pillars on either side are similarly
rich in carving, but have narrower bands of tracery round the upper
portion of the fluting, and their flutes are spiral. Outside these are
two octagonal pillars with three bands of tracery round them, sup-
porting a very deep square carved fascia under the bracket capital.
The pilasters beyond these have short fluted necks with tracery
above and below them, more like what we should work in metal
than attempt in stone. The central compartment in each capital
has its own group of human figures.
The architrave all along the front is sculptured; (Plate XLI.)
above each column there is a compartment containing human figures
only; at the corners are terminal figures apparently intended for
lions or sdrdillas; and the remaining spaces are filled principally
with elephants in every variety of attitude, and cut with great spirit
and correctness.
The part over the front of the porch has been mostly destroyed
when the pillars gave way, but from a fragment that remains, the
lower frieze or architrave seems to have been filled with groups of
figures, possibly scenes from the life of Buddha. The left side is
carved with elephants fighting, and with the figure of a rider on a
'l''ti'i<i. at the corners. Continuing the same member along the facade
0 tae ^ft, after the usual corner sdrdula, we have representations of
0 figures beating drums and one playing on some sort of flute fol-
ded by others with Nepalese swords, oblong shields, three figures
on norseback, one blowing a long trumpet, then three elephants and
'other horse with their riders. The next to the left is an in-door
^ene' a raja and his wife in earnest converse with three attendants.
wide, a saddled horse is being led out towards a tree, and to the
. .18 a "ttle figure carrying a bag on his back towards two figures
mg and talking under foliaa-e with birds in it. Beyond these a
a,. • ^ ePllant stands facing a man sitting at the foot of a tree with
lc ln his hand. Then comes another in-door scene, in which
1 e has her arms round her husband's neck and two female
sehold servants (dads) stand by. Outside are four elephants, the