The Indus Civilization (Cambridge History of India, Supplementary Volume) c17.55

c17.55

Some of the most skilful models of animals are made in faïence, which was abundantly familiar to the Harappans, and was already known to pre-Dynastic Egypt and to fourth-millennium Sumer. Certainly by 3000 B.C. its manufacture was widespread in western Asia as far north as the Caucasus, and it had reached Crete by Early Minoan II (about 2800–2500 B.C.).⁴ The process is to model the object in paste, which on the Indus is sometimes composed of crushed steatite, and to coat it with a glaze which is then fused in a muffle or kiln. The resulting colour is now generally light blue or green. The objects rendered in these materials are small and may normally be classified as beads or amulets. To the latter category belong tiny figurines of sheep, monkeys, dogs and squirrels, which at their best and within obvious limitations are little masterpieces of craftsmanship. The beads will be dealt with separately below. Miniature vessels, which must mostly have been toys, were made of faïence, as of pottery and stone, and were in rare instances ornamented with paint, a procedure with analogies in Sumer, Egypt and Crete. Faïence was also employed for a number of other objects, including bracelets, finger-rings, studs, buttons, and inlays presumably for caskets and furniture.