Constance Frederica Gordon-Cumming (1837-1924)

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Constance Frederica Gordon-Cumming (1837-1924)
The Temple built over the holy Footprint of Buddha at the Summit of Adam's Peak, Sri Lanka
signed and dated 'C.F. Gordon Cumming/Jan 28th. 74' and inscribed 'The Pilgrims walk thrice sunrise round the rock and hang memorial rags on the chains On the white cloth is the impression of the footprint/hung out to dry./The footprint which is reverenced as that of Adam Siva/or Buddha lies/beneath the temple. It is a natural hollow/6 feet long. 32 inches broad at toes.26 at heel./The heel is 8 inches above the toes. Foot points N.W. Shrine of the Sri Pada- Holy Foot/on top of Adam's Peak- looking to Rahnapura' and further inscribed with the signatures of the artist's party 'N. Bosanquet H.A. Claremont/NAS Maclean/'; and on the mount in the same hand 'Temple built over the holy footprint (of Buddha- Mahomet or Siva. Reverenced by the worshippers. of each faith) who therefore make pilgrimage to the summit of Adam's Peak.' a further inscription on an envelope attached to the reverse of the mount reads 'Miss Gordon Cumming/Walton Lodge'; pencil and watercolour heightened with bodycolour and gum arabic, unframed
15 3/8 x 24 3/8in. (391 x 619mm.)

Lot Essay

Constance Gordon-Cumming wrote '..The Sri Pada, the Holy Foot, [is] so named on account of a natural mark on the extreme summit [of the mountain], which, to the eye of the faith, was in remote ages in some degree suggestive of a huge footprint, and was accordingly revered as a miraculous token of the place having once been visited by some supernatural being...Tradition says the hollow footprint should contain a supply of fresh water supplied from Heaven which cures all diseases. Many sick make this toilsome pilgrimage to drink the water of life or soak a cloth then hung up to dry. [The cloth is] then taken home to those unable to make the journey.' (C.F.Gordon-Cumming, Two Happy Years in Ceylon, London, 1892, II, pp. 310-337) The Sri Pada is revered by the Buddhists as the footprint of Buddha, whilst the Hinduists believe it is the mark of Shiva

See lot 191 a note on Adam's Peak

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