Evening star., 1898-09-19
HEART OF AN IDOL.
The Objects Placed In an Image De.
termine Its Value.
From the Philadelphia Press.

From the Philadelphia Press.
1t Is fact not generally known that the
most interesting and vital part Of the i'm
ages used in worship by the Buddhists and
other oriental religionists is carefully con-
cealed from human sight and hidden inside
of the idols.
Upon the acquisition Of an oriental idol
by intelligent collector his first step is
to learn whether it has been consecrated
and actually used in worship, and then to
ascertain whether it remains intact or has
been rified Of its original contents.
The images purchased in curiosity shops
in this country are commonly either fresh
from the maker or dealer and destitute of
any magical or sacred attributes. or they
have been dismantled by the priests who
sold them, by some searcher for con-
cealed treasure-for 1t Is reported that rare
jewels are sometimes discovered concealed
in dingy and otherwise unattractive images.
Mr.. Sheridan p. Read, the late United
States consul at Tien-Tsin, who led the ex-
petition bound for the interior of China
that recently left for the east in the inter-
ests of the Philadelphia Commercial Mu-
seums. brought back to the late DR. Pep
per some Chinese idols when he came here
to arrange for his present trip.
These idols, seven in number, were placed
by DR.. Pepper in the museum of science
and art at the university Two were Chi
nese and five Thibetan in type The Chi
nese idols of cast bronze were without
special interest. One, a small gilded image
of the Chinese goddess of mercy was fresh
from the maker. The other Kwef Sing
one of the gods of literature while old and
evidently long used. had lost its vitals.
No SO all the Thibetan idols. The most
important represents the goddess Doljang,
the deified consort of King Srongstan Gam
po, 617-61S A d. She wears the peculiar
nve-pointed crown that distinguishes a
Bodhlsattva. s Her ears are long and pend
ant. The crown fs detachable, and the fig
ure, which Is nine and a half inches in
height, is wrought of stamped copper.
The image appeared heavy for its ma
teriai and emitted dull sound when struck
slight blow. Close examination showed
that the base consisted of thin plate of
engraved copper, securely held in place by
small clamps.
Upon bending these over and removing
the plate the interior of the IMAGE u-os
found to be filled with finely powdered
scented wood, and quite undisturbed
When this was discovered an interest
quite equal to that attending the unwrap-
ping of mummy was aroused. There was
a possibility of finding an uncut rubv of
price or some potent talisman of untold
value.
The powdered wood, which had been
tightly pressed down, was shaken out and
removed A number of solid objects re-
mained, wedged In place by a long pyr-
amidal wooden plug covered with yellow
silk. They proved to be rolls of paper from
one to three inches in width written in red
ink with Thibetans texts and tightly en-
folded in yellow silk n
Each of the rolls, which from the one
that was opened appeared to be of great
length, was carefully sealed, the silk
wrapper being inscribed in red and black
ink. In form they closely resembled Chi
nese firecrackers.
A small yellow paper package. wrapped
in silk, contained powdered sandal wood
Another yellow paper packet contained FIVE
disks Of paper stamped in red with Thibet
an magical symbols Altogether, fifteen OH
jects We're removed from the hollow snace
within the image, reminding one of the
multitudinous things extracted from a con
jurer's hat 1t was these objects these
written words, that made the image alive
and serviceable for purposes of protection
Another Thibetan image had had its
contents removed, but a roll Of text re-
manned stuffed in the internal apertnra of
the head. This figure represented AvaIo-
kitsevara, or the goddess of mercy. called
by the Thibetans ChenreSi
1t Is of bronze, beautifully eilded and
possessing fine artistic qualities There Is
another image of the same goddess in the
collection, also of bronze, but inIaid NIT y
small turquoises.
The two remaining figures represent
Shakya- -thub-pa, as the Thibetans cali the
historical Buddha, Shakyamuni. Taken TO.
gether these objects are a valuable add;.
ton to the museums collection illustra
tive of oriental religions.