Small Shrine

near Abe-ya-dana, Pagan

This small shrine is topped by a conical, umbrella-shaped, tower. Two charmingly carved rows of dancing nats (next page) frolic upon the roof. The figures in the upper row are carved smaller than the lower figures, lending to the roof a perspectival illusion of height. The illusion is reinforced by the smaller height of the second course of the roof, as compared to the first course, and by the continuation of the roof's pyramidal incline into the rapidly diminishing, triangular profile of the tower. These techniques for increasing the perceived height of a building are also used effectively in the larger temples and stupas.