Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c11.s1.83

c11.s1.83

The truncated or rounded tips of the lotus petals in most types may be remarked. The form in Fig. 38, II., from Anurādhapura will explain the origin of this truncation or flattening, the really pointed tip of the petal being represented first as curled inwards and so not affecting the outline, and then omitted altogether; it is retained in Fig. 39, c. But the half-seen alternating petal always retains the pointed tip. It is the ‘dart’ in all patterns of the ‘egg and dart’ type, of which the classical and Indian forms must have a common origin.