This latter type of ornament, so generally used by the Greeks as a crest or crown upon their upright obelisk-like tombstones or steles, or to crest the angles of the pediments of their temples, is suggestive in its general form of a flame, or pair of wings.
LION, FORMERLY CRESTING THE OUTER RAILING OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM. MODELLED BY ALFRED STEVENS, AND CAST IN IRON.
GREEK STELE OR HEAD-STONE.
INDIAN (BRAHMAN)
FLAME HALO IN BRONZE SURROUNDING IMAGE OF THE GOD SIVA DESTROYING THE DEMON TRIPURASURA.
(ZINC) FLAME HALO ENCLOSING IMAGE OF SURYA THE SUN GOD.
It is noteworthy that a similar form occurs, treated in detail in a variety of ways, as a glory or halo placed behind Buddhist images made in ancient India, Japan, and Burmah, often in carved wood and gilt metal or bronze, pierced and ornamented in a variety of ways—sometimes suggesting leafy trees, but generally radiating in their principal lines from a centre, like the anthemion. The flame was a sacred symbol with many ancient peoples, and it remains with us as the fitting emblem of inspiration.
