50 
THE INDIAN MUSEUM: 1814—1914. 
noticeable additions to the collections, the annual grant of 
Rs. 11,000 sanctioned for purchase of specimens (Rs. 6,000 
by the Government of India and Rs. 5,000 by the Govern¬ 
ment of Bengal) having been expended in filling up gaps and 
forming connecting links between the various classes of 
exhibits. A certain number of rugs have been purchased, as 
the gallery was weak in this class A number of embroidered 
shawls have been acquired to enrich the Section and a few 
pictures of a special type have been obtained to complete 
the fine art collection. Advantage was taken of a number 
of specimens of Nepalese and Tibet work coming on the 
market, to obtain some unique art productions of Central 
Asia. These were mainly of metal, and among the best 
acquisitions are a carved steel saddle, jewelled gold orna¬ 
ments and vases; while several figures of lamas and deities 
are of exceptional interest. The principal value of these 
objects is that they represent, as near as we can tell, the 
style of art which flourished in India previous to the Mahome- 
dan invasion. Remains of work of this character are scanty 
in the country of its origin, but it is felt that the more recent 
art manufactures of Nepal and Tibet reflect the aesthetic 
handiwork of India as this was maintained before the 
introduction of the Musalman influence. Examples of this 
work may therefore be the means of assisting those interested 
in forming some idea of the Art of India of a thousand years 
