NOTES. 
77 
the stones have been thus inlaid, very thin gold leaf strip (not to be 
confused with the relatively much stouter strips of which the 
framework is made) is taken and applied around and between the 
stones and worked in with much force, apphed with a progressive 
rocking movement of a small double ended chisel-shaped tool 
(sitakku ), fixed in an ingenious wooden holder. Finally, the gold 
thus firmly applied is smoothed and polished. The final result is 
an ornament showing gold on both sides (the back generally 
engraved in outline, corresponding to the whole design), and having 
a foundation of wax remaining between back and front. 
Only the very simplest tools are used throughout: two or three 
of the chisel-shaped gravers, a pair of pincers, the wax, and the 
short stick on which the wax and contained framework are mounted. 
The effect is one of great richness of colour. This is now, however, 
generally spoilt by the use of facetted stones, which reflect white 
light, and so largely spoil the colour effect. 
A. K. COOMARASWAMY. 
M 
7(11)09 
