The Antiquities of Orissa v1.c9.38

v1.c9.38

In ornamented porches, the edges of the cornice-stones are most elaborately sculptured, the design being either floral scrolls, or processions of men, horses, elephants, or geese. Occasionally they are divided into square panels, and filled with single figures, or groups of animals and other designs. But whether sculptured or left plain, they invariably have on their upper edge a number of the lancet-headed crests described above; and these form their most peculiar characteristics. The amount of sculptured work displayed on the edges of these cornices is sometimes immense. Mr. Fergusson, adverting to the cornice of the porch of the Black Pagoda at Koṇārak, observes: "All the faces of these twelve cornices are covered by bassi-rilievi of processions, hunting scenes, and representations of all the occupations and amusements of life. The immense variety of illustrations of Hindu manners contained in it may be imagined when we think that, with a height of from one foot to eighteen inches,* this frieze extends to nearly three thousand feet in length, and contains, probably, at least twice that number of figures.¹⁵