The Antiquities of Orissa v1.c9.108

v1.c9.108

**Head:** The form of the head in Orissa is generally oval, and the features are natural. According to the *Garuḍa Purāṇa*, the top of the cranium of a well-formed head should be rounded like an umbrella, a flat one bespeaking poverty, and one like the bottom of a pitcher a worthless character;⁴¹ and this rule is very closely followed by Indian artists. The crown is generally high, though owing to the top-knot and other ornaments on the head, it is impossible to measure exactly whether the height from the upper line of the forehead to the top of the crown would equal one-fourth of the face. The hair is soft and flowing, and always chiselled with great care. It is never curly or shaped into rounded buttons, as on the heads of Buddhist statues and Assyrian sculptures. Of the various ways in which the hair is dressed, detailed descriptions will appear under the head of coiffure.