History of Indian and Eastern Architecture v2.c33.s3.22

v2.c33.s3.22

Perhaps the most important pagoda in the Burmese Empire is the great Shwe-Hmaudau¹ at Pegu, of which a plan and elevation are given in Symes' account of his embassy to Ava. As will be seen from the plan (Woodcut No. 445), it deviates from the usual type, which is exclusively used in the edifices of this class hitherto described, having an octagonal base together with those elaborated multiplane forms which are affected by all the Hindû builders of modern date. It returns, however, to the circular form before terminating, and is crowned, like all Burmese buildings of this class, by an iron Htî richly gilt. Another peculiarity is strongly indicative of its modern date, namely that around its base is a double range of miniature pagodas—a mode of ornamentation that subsequently became typical in Hindû architecture — their temples and spires being covered, and, indeed, composed of innumerable models of themselves, clustered together so as to make up a whole. As before remarked, something of the same sort occurs in Roman art, where every window and opening is surmounted by a pediment or miniature temple end, and in Gothic art, where a great spire is surrounded by pinnacles or spirelets; but in these styles it is never carried to the same excess as in Hindû art.