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Dress

The high pointed tiara to judge by its shape must have originated in the diadem or is at least connected with it; the lowest part of it, the band that goes round the head, is the same thing as that of the diadem, with an ornament in the middle and one on each side above the ears, Inside this rises the conical-shaped headdress in all sorts of styles, often built up of rings gradually smaller and more or less adorned with j ewels and similar ornaments. The ladies prefer a less-pointed shape; above the band there is often a second circle that is decorated with little twists as if in imitation of the natural curls. The whole headgear is often crowned with a flower ornement and hanging ribbons for both sexes, The rest of the women's costume differs very little from that of the men; the caste-cord being replaced by the women's girdle and the dress reaching down to their ankles.

Children are dressed in various ways. Sometimes they wear nothing at all, at least those of the lower classes; they are carried in the slendang which is still in use O 38, 44
Series O
Plate V 38
695a.JPG
Series O
Plate VI 44
713a.JPG
Infant princes on the other hand often wear minature royal dress; they can often be recognised by the crescentshaped ornament behind the neck that has already been described i), and a double band in the style of the womens' girdle, generally with a large clasp in front on the breast, sometimes without a clasp but then made of links like a chain II B 24
Awad-Jatakas
Series IIB
Plate V 24
3541a.JPG
Awad-Jatakas
The chief person on IV B 43
Maitreya
Series IVB
Plate IX 43
3735b.JPG
Maitreya
with a plain band and crescent has a wonderful headdress; a broad band with twisting figures rising from it, that may be are snakes. It is quite possible this is some supernatural being; the story is an unidentified one. The crescent and band over the breast evidently represent official costume; the ordinary dress of upper-class children will be that of the small boy on 0 32; rings on wrists and ankles, a necklace and a little cap with ornemented border on the head. The ends of the garment hanging down at the side of the head do not distinctly belong to the child, but may just as likely be part of the father's dress to whom it evidently clings in fright.

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