Ajanta: The Colour and Monochrome Reproductions of the Ajanta Frescoes Based on Photography v1.c5.s17.16

v1.c5.s17.16

Behind the minister is a rājā offering lotus-flowers to the Bodhisattva. He is tall enough, but quite small in the presence of the Great Being, whose glory has struck him with awe. The features of the rājā are well cut, and his ornaments and dress most becoming, but the contrast between him and the Bodhisattva is very great, and by it the artist has aimed to show the inferiority of worldly pomp and authority. The design of the ear-rings of the rājā, consisting of three separate drops of pearl and sapphire (?) from a small link, is interesting. Again the check and stripe patterns of the cloth in which the flower-tray is wrapped⁴ and the design of the robe of the rājā are noteworthy.⁵ The material in both cases seems to be silk. The palms of the rājā also are painted, which shows that it was customary to stain them in those days.