Ajanta: The Colour and Monochrome Reproductions of the Ajanta Frescoes Based on Photography v1.c5.s17.22

v1.c5.s17.22

The features of the lady who is offering flowers are too much obliterated for appreciation of their beauty, but among her ornaments the large wheel-shaped ear-rings¹ and the set of ivory bangles, such as are still used by some of the primitive peoples of India,² are prominent. There is a lady, at the left-hand side of the Bodhisattva, who is also wearing large ear-rings; the pink-striped design of her skirt (?) is also interesting. A large portion of the head of this figure is destroyed, hence the expression of her face cannot be studied. Below this lady is the figure of a stalwart personage, with broad face and well-defined features. The Bodhisattva has placed his left hand on his shoulder for support. This intimacy suggests that he is an important person, perhaps the general of the army, which supposition seems to be confirmed by the two black straps on his shoulder from which the swords are hung on his back. The metal buckle to be seen on one of these straps is interesting; so is the simple design of the gold chain round the neck of the general (?). He is wearing a long coat,³ and a gold band adorns his head.⁴