Ajanta: Cave 2, Capital on northwest side

The chaitya halls in Caves 1 and 2 are primarily known for the excellence of their decoration, both in painting and in sculpture, This is evidenced in the delicately carved capitals such as this one from Cave 2, They appear to have been etched with their designs rather than carved, Notice the lacework pattern at the top of the shaft just beneath the capital proper and the jewel-like rosettes along the square separational element under the crowning, Carved somewhat more deeply are the figures of lesser deities in the crowning itself, which include both Yaksha and Yakshi couples as well as Devas and Apsaras (celestial maidens), Parts of the relief decoration on the capitals were painted originally, for traces can still be seen within spaces of the carving