The Antiquities of Orissa v1.c9.161

v1.c9.161

**Toreutic Art :** Reference has been made above to the copper statue of Buddha found at Sultānganj.⁶⁸ It is the largest metal figure of ancient times that has come under observation in this country. In artistic execution it is in no way inferior to the ordinary run of stone statues of Buddha found at Behar, Sārnāth, and other places in Northern India, showing that the people at the time were as competent in carving in stone as in modelling and moulding. But the most remarkable circumstance in connexion with it is the evidence it affords of the capacity of the people in melting and casting copper in such large quantities as to produce figures seven feet four inches in height. So extraordinary and improbable did this circumstance appear to some of the European officers of the East Indian Railway Company, when the figure was discovered, that they took it to be of Birmingham manufacture sent out to this country for sale. There is, however, no doubt now about its Indian and ancient origin. Other figures of copper have been found, and there is ample proof in the ancient copper weapons of war that that metal was largely worked by the people of former times. It must be added, however, that on the whole, copper was never very largely used in the fabrication of statuary, and bronze never, that alloy being held impure. Brass is more readily melted ; it has a more attractive colour ; it takes a finer polish, and is firmer, more malleable, less liable to rust, and more easily wrought than copper. It has therefore, been generally preferred as a material for ornamental figures. In the formation of the statues of gods, it is also very largely employed : but in such cases it is alloyed with small quantities of six other metals, viz., gold, silver, iron, tin, lead, and mercury, making, with the copper and zinc of brass, eight, which is esteemed the purest alloy and prized very highly as *aṣṭadhātu*. Statuettes of pure gold or silver were also made, and in the Śāstras much praise is bestowed on those who worship idols made of them ; but no authentic ancient figure of the precious [ 68 ] metals has come to my notice. The Tantras recommend *liṅgams* made of mercury as the most sacred ; but I have seen none, and know not how the metal was manipulated ;—probably it was used in the form of an amalgam with lead or tin. In Orissa the metal figures of gods and goddesses are mostly of brass, and a few of *aṣṭadhātu*. They have been made by being first cast in moulds, and afterwards finished by chiselling and filing. The large figure of Lakṣmī in the Great Temple of Puri affords the best speciemen of its kind, and figures from 1 to 2 feet in height are met with in some of the minor temples. But, generally speaking, the execution of metallic figures of the Uriyās is inferior to the better specimens of their stone sculpture, and the size of such figures is generally so small that they are not worthy of any lengthened notice as specimens of the toreutic art. Nothing need also be said of legends on coins, inasmuch as no indigenous coin of an ancient date has yet been found in Orissa. Metallic figures have been little employed for ornamental purposes, except as feet for thrones, stands for lamps, and for other articles of domestic use. But in their case the execution is of a very primitive kind.