Ancient Indian Colonies in the Far East (Vol. I: Champa; Vol. II: Suvarnadvipa) v2.c21.s5.5

v2.c21.s5.5

A very large number of bronze figures were discovered in 1913 at Caṇḍiraja¹ near Ngañjuk in Kediri, and about fifty of them are now in the Museum at Batavia. Only a few of these have been definitely identified, but the rest, though forming parts of a group belonging to the pantheon of Mahāyāna Buddhism, are unlike any other images hitherto known in Java or elsewhere. All the images (Pl. XLII) are seated cross-legged on a double lotus, but they are distinguished from one another by different attributes and postures of hands. The chief figure, larger than the rest, has a back-piece, surmounted by a Kāla-Makara ornament of the shape of a Caitya-window and crowned by an umbrella. The figures are well cast and show that the art of casting in bronze was highly developed.