History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c34.s1.13

v1.c34.s1.13

Initially, the girdles seem to have been composed of beads, including those of gold and silver. The same might have been followed by chains of gold and silver with jingling bells, specially used by the dancing girls. This is how, as Cunningham takes it, the lady's girdle assured the elaborate and costly form of five, six and seven strings of gold beads (Cunningham, 1962). These girdles are found worn by the various female figures of the Bharhut stupa. The most elaborate girdle, worn by the goddess, Sirima, represents similar motif and design in construction.