The Antiquities of Orissa v1.c9.42.2

v1.c9.42.2

It is formed of a gigantic pothos branch, enclosed by two rows of pellets, with a row of lotus petals below, and the characteristic crest above, shaped like a seated human figure. It occurs frequently in the Mukteśvara and the Bhagavatī temples. The drawing has been taken from a specimen in the Mukteśvara. No. 12 from the last named temple is a variety of it of common occurrence, and No. 13, the most ornate form, is from the Paraśurāmeśvara temple. The vine is still the pothos, but the foliage appears arranged in a very graceful style, and is remarkable for the skill and taste with which it has been developed. As a specimen of scroll-work it will stand comparison with the finest sample of the kind of mediaeval or ancient times. Illustrations Nos. 14 and 16, from the Great Tower, and 18 from the Rājarāṇī temple, show the same creepers, but the foliage is scant, and the loops formed by the stalk enclose men and animals of various kinds, such as antelopes, deer, hogs, bulls, buffaloes, rabbits and the like; cranes, hogs and deer prevailing. In the first two, the pellet occurs on one side only. No. 20 from the Bhagavatī temple exhibits the same vine and foliage, but encloses, within the rounded folds of the stalk, little pigs and heads of elephants. The leaves in No. 21 from the Sārideül are different; the plant appears to me to be a succulent Cucurbitacea, but the style is very much the same. In general character, No. 22 from the same place, corresponds with the preceding;