Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c37.4

c37.4

*Greek Influence in Decorative Art:* p. 261. I do not mean to imply that the use of classic decorative motifs (such as the acanthus) at Gandhāra left no trace on later Indian decorative art. On the contrary, such traces are not difficult to detect. But they no more inspired Indian decorative art, than the Gandhāra Buddhas inspired the Divine Ideal in Indian sculpture; and the fundamental decorative motifs are of oriental (including Egyptian) rather than classic origin. Such forms as those appearing on the woven belt of Pl. XXIX., 7, are much older than the period of classic influence at Gandhāra, or even Barāhat; they are the common heritage of East and West.