The Indus Civilization c9.50

c9.50

Objects of extraordinarily fine workmanship made in faience and vitreous paste have been unearthed in the Indus valley. Among them must be mentioned two monkeys, the first a squatting figure with hands on knees (Pl. J, 2), which in modelling and finish has almost a Chinese appearance, the second an animal holding its young, which, although unglazed and in an incomplete state, promised to become a real work of art (Pl. J, 4). None of the moulds, by means of which the paste beads and some of the animals were made, have yet been found. Many of the animal figures, which seem to have served as amulets, appear to have been first roughly modelled by hand and then shaped with a knife or similar tool, the glaze being, of course, the final process.