Indian Sculpture and Painting, Illustrated by Typical Masterpieces, with an Explanation of their Motives and Ideals c8.23

c8.23

Before the time of Asoka the principal artistic crafts of India, exclusive of weaving, were those of painting, wood-carving and metal-work. The two former were no doubt practised in the Buddhist monasteries of Northern India, as they are now in Nepal and Tibet. It must not be supposed that the mason's and stone-carver's art was unknown; but only that, as in all countries where wood is cheap and plentiful, the latter material was generally preferred for structural and decorative purposes: and, therefore, the wood-carvers greatly exceeded in numbers those who worked stone.