159 
1895 ] and a Gandella Copper-plate from the Banda District. 
Part II. 
i ^ . ... 
Three early brass statuettes of the Buddha found in the ruins of 
Dhanosar Khera to the west of Icchawar, and purchased by Dr. Hoey, 
are of sufficient interest to deserve detailed description. 
The material of the statuettes appears to be brass, though it may 
be the special alloy known as aslitadhdtu , or ‘ the eight metals.’ “ Copper 
was never very largely used in the fabrication of statuary, and bronze 
never, that alloy being held impure. Brass is more readily melted; it 
has a more attractive colour; it takes a finer polish, and is firmer, more 
malleable, less liable to rust, and more easily wrought than copper. 
It has, therefore, been generally preferred as a material for orna¬ 
mental figures. In the formation of the statues of gods, it is also very 
largely employed; but in such cases it is alloyed with small quantities 
of other metals, viz., gold, silver, iron, tin, lead, and mercury; making 
with the copper and zinc of brass, eight; which is esteemed the purest 
alloy, and prized very highly as aslitadhdtu .” 1 
The two larger statuettes (Nos I and II) are inscribed; the small¬ 
est one (No. Ill) has no inscription. 
The standing figure No. I (Plate VIIT) is much the better executed 
of the two larger images, and possesses some merit as a work of art. 
It closely resembles many of the Gandhara sculptures, and, in our 
judgment, shows distinct traces of Hellenistic influence. Buddha 
stands in a preaching attitude, holding in his left hand a palm leaf or 
birch bark scroll. His right hand is open, and raised in admonition. 
His dress consists of a robe, open at the neck, covering both shoulders, 
and of an under garment, which appears below. This under garment 
appears to be a pair of wide drawers, such as are now called a “ divided 
skirt,” though it may possibly be an undivided skirt. The feet are 
bare. The head is covered with the hair arranged in a mat of conven¬ 
tional curls, gathered above into a top-knot. The earrings are long and 
heavy. The drapery is well executed, and the form of the body is well 
shown through the clothing. The hands are moulded with considerable 
skill; a large circular aureole is attached to a projection at the back of 
the head. 
The figure stands on a well designed pedestal, which rests on four 
claws. 
The principal dimensions are as follows : — 
Height (including pedestal) to surface of top-knot ... lo 62.> 
Total height to top of aureole ... ... 14"725 
1 Rajendralala Mitra, Antiquities of Orissa, V ol. I, p. 67. 
