The Antiquities of Orissa v1.c10.290

v1.c10.290

Clay, however, was not the only material in use for the fabrication of domestic vessels in ancient times. The *Ṛgveda* alludes to golden cups; and silver, copper, brass and bronze, which were well-known and used in the [ 111 ] formation of weapons, were, it is to be presumed, not neglected. The Sūtras and the *Mahābhārata*, however, leave no doubt on the subject: they frequently refer to vessels of other than gold and clay. Tvaṣṭā, the Vulcan of the Hindu pantheon, was the most celebrated artificer of metallic arms, but the Ṛbhus greatly excelled him in the formation of sacrificial vessels of wood and metal, and on one occasion Tvaṣṭā is said to have sought to slay his rivals (IV. 33.5,6) and on another, “to have applauded their design, and admired the brilliant results of their skill”.¹³⁸ In a mediaeval work, the *Kālikā Purāṇa*, plates made of gold, are described to remove excesses of the three humours, and promote the strength of vision; those of silver, favourable to vision, and inimical to bile, but calculated to increase the secretion of wind and phlegm; those of bronze, agreeable and intellectual, but favourable to undue excitement of blood and bile; those of brass, wind-generating, irritating, hot and heat and phlegm-destroying; those of magnetic iron, most beneficial in overcoming anasarca, jaundice and anaemia; those of other stones and clay are inauspicious; those of wood wholesome, but phlegm-generating; those of leaves, wholesome invigorating and poison-destroying.¹³⁹ The *Yuktikalpataru* recommends that drinking cups for royal personages should be made of gold, silver, crystal or glass;¹⁴⁰ and other authorities are equally precise on the suject.