DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.67683#0596
INDIA
410
were made. The roof is in the form of a great barrel vault with
ribs which reproduce the bamboo construction of its prototype.
Originally there were fresco mural decorations and painted
banners hung from the roof. One large leaf-shaped window
was placed above the entrance in such a way that the light fell
directly upon the stu-pa and brought out the rich colors of the
Fig. ixo. Sanchi Stupa. Pier of the
east gate. (Griinwedel)
decorations before it was lost in
the dim shadows of the high
vaulting.
In the decoration of these
early Buddhist structures we dis-
cern a native characteristic of
Indian ornament — exuberance.
The gates at Sanchi are typical
(Pl. 161 b). Rectangular piers
covered with reliefs are sur-
mounted by four elephants from
whose backs rise the uprights
that hold three slightly curving
bars, graduated in length and
width as they rise, and termi-
nating in vigorous spirals that
by contrast bring out the rich-
ness of the carving and also turn
the eye inward. [Animals,
winged griffin, and human figures
in the round fill the spaces be-
tween the bars, which, like the
supports, are entirely covered
with reliefs. On one of the piers
(Fig. 12.0) the lotus7 is the motif
of decoration. Here the design is held effectively by the central
panel of repeated discs formed from the conventionalized section
of the lotus, with the space about them filled with the buds,
fruit, or flowers; the outer borders contain a waving stem from
which issue lotus leaves, flowers, buds, and fruit arranged natural-
istically and filling the space, but with practically no overlap-
ping. The carving is kept low and flat, and forms a rich and
effective panel of decoration.
7 The lotus was the favorite flower of India and was used symbolically. Growing up out of
the mud, undefiled it blossoms in the pure light of the sun. Just so the human spirit growing out
of the material conditions of life finds liberation in Nirvana. The open lotus with down-turned
petals, so frequently found in domes, capitals, and the pedestals of the statues of Buddha, sug-
gested the vault of heaven. The section of the fruit, which is the shape of a wheel, symbolized
the universality of Buddha’s law.
410
were made. The roof is in the form of a great barrel vault with
ribs which reproduce the bamboo construction of its prototype.
Originally there were fresco mural decorations and painted
banners hung from the roof. One large leaf-shaped window
was placed above the entrance in such a way that the light fell
directly upon the stu-pa and brought out the rich colors of the
Fig. ixo. Sanchi Stupa. Pier of the
east gate. (Griinwedel)
decorations before it was lost in
the dim shadows of the high
vaulting.
In the decoration of these
early Buddhist structures we dis-
cern a native characteristic of
Indian ornament — exuberance.
The gates at Sanchi are typical
(Pl. 161 b). Rectangular piers
covered with reliefs are sur-
mounted by four elephants from
whose backs rise the uprights
that hold three slightly curving
bars, graduated in length and
width as they rise, and termi-
nating in vigorous spirals that
by contrast bring out the rich-
ness of the carving and also turn
the eye inward. [Animals,
winged griffin, and human figures
in the round fill the spaces be-
tween the bars, which, like the
supports, are entirely covered
with reliefs. On one of the piers
(Fig. 12.0) the lotus7 is the motif
of decoration. Here the design is held effectively by the central
panel of repeated discs formed from the conventionalized section
of the lotus, with the space about them filled with the buds,
fruit, or flowers; the outer borders contain a waving stem from
which issue lotus leaves, flowers, buds, and fruit arranged natural-
istically and filling the space, but with practically no overlap-
ping. The carving is kept low and flat, and forms a rich and
effective panel of decoration.
7 The lotus was the favorite flower of India and was used symbolically. Growing up out of
the mud, undefiled it blossoms in the pure light of the sun. Just so the human spirit growing out
of the material conditions of life finds liberation in Nirvana. The open lotus with down-turned
petals, so frequently found in domes, capitals, and the pedestals of the statues of Buddha, sug-
gested the vault of heaven. The section of the fruit, which is the shape of a wheel, symbolized
the universality of Buddha’s law.