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The only real garment is still the loin-cloth, only altered by the mate- \ rial being more ample so that it can be folded differently and for in- ~ stance while it hangs on the one side only to the knee, on the other it I is longer, sometimes to the ankles; in other ways too this garment can | be altered but it seems to be always a long narrow cloth. People who are I in a hurry, of course not of the leisured classes, make it easier for them- ~ selves by "girding up their loins" and tying the rest of it into a bunch in I front of their middle. The ornament above-mentioned becomes a magnificent display of precious stones and goldsmith's skill; then we see richer adornment of another kind by a second necklace that hangs rather lower than the first, more of a breast ornament. Then another belt is put on just below the breast and above the hips, generally flat and with a pearl-shaped ornament. The girdle that holds the garment together can always be discerned, it has now become an important piece of the decoration, always fastened in front of the body with a splendid clasp, often with the two ends of the garment hanging down on either side. Under the girdle can be seen, across the thighs, the wide scarf-like band used when seated to support the knee; when standing it is tied in a big bow at the side of the figure; the ends of this garment do not hang in front but down the side of the leg. In the simpler style of this dress (clearly to be seen Ib 59

main wall Series Ib Plate XXX 59 1187b.JPG main wall

comes first the girdle and then the sash, one under the other. This can be enriched by a second girdle below the first one and by winding the sash twice round the thighs: then we get four bands one below the other. On many reliefs it is not very easy to distinguish the two girdles and sashes, the girdles with their ends hanging down in front and the sashes with ends at the side of the legs, but fortunately there are examples enough (f.i. Ia 16

Life of Buddha Series Ia Plate VIII 16 2563b.JPG Life of Buddha

where the various pieces can easily be distinguished.

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