the great idols at Bamian, and the Doric order at Selinus." Other
temples in the same neighbourhood as Chandi Sewu are Ch. Lumbung, Ch.
Kali Bening (Baneng), with a monstrous Kala head as the centre of the
design on the southern side, Ch. Kalong and Ch. Plaosan. Tradition
assigns these temples to 1266-1296.
Of the temples of the eastern zone the best known is Chandi Jago (or
Tumpang), elaborately described in the Archaeological Commission's
monograph. According to the _Pararaton_, a native chronicle (published
in the _Verhand. v. h. Bat. Gen. v. K. en W._, 1896), it belongs to
the 13th century, containing the tomb of Rangavuni or Vishnuvardhana,
who died in 1272-1273. The shrine proper occupies the third of three
platforms, the lowest of which forms a square of 45 to 46 ft. each
side. The building fronts the west, and is constructed of an andesitic
tuff of inferior quality and dark colour. Of distinctly Buddhistic
influence there is no trace. The makara (elephant-fish head) is
notably absent. The sculptures which run round the base and along the
sides of the platforms or terraces are of the most elaborate and
varied description--kings on thrones, dwarfs, elephants, supernatural
beings, diabolical and grotesque, tree-monsters, palaces, temples,
courtyards, lakes, gardens, forests--all are represented. In one place
appears a Chinese--or Burmese-looking seven-roofed pagoda; in another,
a tall temple strangely split down the centre, with a flight of steps
running up the fissure. The inscriptions are in the Devanagari
character. In the same neighbourhood are Ch. Singossari, Ch. Kidal,
&c. Another of the most beautiful of the eastern temples is Ch.
Jabung, mentioned in 1330. It is built of red brick; and its
distinctly Javanese origin is suggested by the frequency of the
snake-motif still characteristic of modern Javanese art. It may be
added that a comparison of the several buildings of the zone affords
an interesting study in the development of the pilaster as a
decorative rather than structural element.
At Panabaram, near Blitar, Kediri, is another group of stone temples
and other buildings. The chief temple is remarkable for the richness
of its sculptures, which are peculiarly delicate and spirited in their
details. The decoration of the mere robes of one of the free-standing
stairway-guardians consists of scroll-work, interspersed with birds
and animals rendered in a non-Indian style, reminiscent of Chinese or
Japanese work. It has been described as one of the most beautiful
pieces of sculpture in all the East.
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