Page:The Industrial Arts of India.djvu/128

 of tape stretched and plaited across the frame falang or by boards of wood or ivory takia$tost ; the planks and legs being ornamented with carving and painting, or lacquered decoration, as in the bedsteads of Sindh and the Panjab.

Although chairs are not ordinarily used by the natives of India, they have always been familiar to them as the thrones of kings. Thrones of gold are mentioned in the Rig- Veda, the Ra may ana, and Mahabharata. When Bharata returned from his visit to Rama, his mother is represented as springing toward him “ from her golden throne.” On the old sculptures thrones are seen of the same shape as the hour-glass shaped cane morahs, or stools, still made in many parts of India, the forms of which are obviously derived from the lotus thrones of the gods. The general Hindu name for thrones is rajapatra and rafasana * They are also called suiha-sana, or the u lion-seat,” a name derived from the figures of lions which were generally carved on their supports. A throne sculptured with the lotus for its supports is called padma-sinhasana.) or “lotus-seat;” if with an elephant, gaya-sinhasana ; with a conch- shell, sanka-sinhasana ; with a goose, kansa-smhasana ; if with an antelope, m riga-slnhasa na / or if with a horse, haya-sinkasana. If it be supported by Vishnu's bird Garuda, it is called Garudasana ; if by Siva's bull, Nandi, Brisks ana ; and if by a peacock it is called Kariiikeya- sana . In making thrones, gold, silver, and copper are most used. Iron is condemned, except for seats of incantation. Of stones, gritty sandstone is forbidden ; and the colour of any stone iised should be that of the planet presiding over the destiny of the person for whom the throne is made. A man born under Saturn should use a blue-colored stone for his throne, or seat ; if born under Venus, a yellow stone. Crystal is always an auspicious stone to use. Travelling thrones, like sedans, raised on four poles, to be borne on men's shoulders, and stale palan- quins, are made as light as possible, generally with an ivory frame- work, and plain or brocaded silk hangings. A silver throne was