Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c6.19

c6.19

∗ Eight auspicious objects, viz., lion, bull, elephant, water pot, fan, flag, trumpet or chank, and lamp; cf., Index under aṭamagala. † We are reminded of Henry III., whose “master passion was for building and for collecting works of art—images, pictures, jewels, relics, plate, and stuffs . . . On the Abbey church he continuously showered his gifts” (Lethaby, ‘Westminster Abbey and the King’s Craftsmen,’ 1906, p. 40). ‡ One layer consisted of a paste of orpiment (? possibly to prevent white ants from working up : vermilion is mentioned in the translation, but should have been orpiment) mixed with gingelly oil. To argue from this, as Tennent does (Vol. I. p. 490), that oil painting was then practised, is quite unwarranted. § Note the early use of compasses.