The Indus Civilization c9.46

c9.46

Considerable care was taken over the manufacture of some of the clay figurines and model animals, for though the former are primitive in appearance (Pl. I, J, 1), great attention had been paid, in many cases, to detail and finish. Both human and animal figures are covered with a red wash, or even with a smooth, polished red slip, this colour obviously having the same magical significance as it had in other countries. With the exception of some small clay masks, which were made in a mould and seem to have been intended to be sewn or attached to something, all the clay figures were modelled entirely by hand. The noses of the human figurines were made by pinching them out of the clay, the eyes were two small pellets of the same material, while the mouth consisted of a small strip applied to the face and then deeply indented to indicate the lips (Pl. I). Dress and jewellery were portrayed by strips and pellets of clay which were sometimes slightly tooled to give a more realistic effect. The eyes of the animals are, perhaps, the best executed of all, for in this case a small cut in the head was widened very slightly, and in the incision a round pellet was inserted for the pupil, while the lashes were marked with a pointed tool; this last touch is only found on very well made figures. The rhinoceros was a favourite subject for the modeller, who placed strips of clay in appropriate places to represent the immensely thick skin with its horny bosses which is so characteristic of that animal. Some of the clay figures of animals are very poor, and may have been made by children, but the excellent workmanship of a great many seems to indicate that they were intended for votive offerings.