Ancient Indian Colonies in the Far East (Vol. I: Champa; Vol. II: Suvarnadvipa) v2.c21.s8.15

v2.c21.s8.15

Some images in Class I, belong distinctly to the Gupta school of Art, *e.g.* the fine sandstone figure of Buddha from Vieng Sra³ (Pl. LXXIV, Fig. 1), the bronze Buddha from Rambutan, and the very beautiful standing bronze Buddha found at Pengkalan near Ipoh, in Perak State.⁴ In this class there are certain images of a very high order of artistic merit. The Viṣṇu image from Vieng Sra (Pl. LXXIII, Fig. 1) has not only a fine modelling but an individuality and strength which easily rank it as one of the best specimens in the whole of Indo-China. The general treatment undoubtedly indicates the influence of Gupta traditions. Its peculiar head-dress, similar to a modern Fez, is found in later Khmer art, and it is reasonable to hold that this element was introduced there through the influence of the art of Malay Peninsula. The image of Phru No⁵ hill (Pl. LXXI, Fig. 2) also belongs to the same style and is of excellent workmanship.