The Early History of the Deccan (Parts I–XI) v1.c7.s7.78

v1.c7.s7.78

As to the minor arts, an idea of their progress can be gathered from the articles so far excavated at Paiṭhaṇa, Maski, and Koṇḍāpur in the Hyderabad State, and at Bhaṭṭiprolu and Amarāvati in the Guṇṭūr District. Paiṭhaṇa has yielded beads of burnt clay, lapis lazuli, agate, crystal, and carnelian, terra-cotta figurines and moulds, pottery utensils, shell ornaments, &c. Similar objects as well as beads of onyx, amethyst, ruby, and garnet were unearthed at Māski.¹ The finds at Koṇḍāpur included terra-cotta figurines, ornaments of previous stones, gold, copper, ivory, shell, and baked clay together with a hoard of potin and lead coins of the Sātavāhana princes. The heads of some of these terra-cotta figurines show realistic features and perfect modelling. The styles of dressing and plaiting the hair are remarkable for their variety, and some of them ‘can stand comparison with the best painted head at Ajaṇṭā’. In the words of Dr. Yazdani, ‘The potter’s craft, which is considered insignificant in these days, during the early period of Deccani art occupied almost the same position as sculpture and painting.’² From Bhaṭṭiprolu *stūpa* have been recovered beryl and crystal caskets containing precious stones, gold flowers, jewels, beads, *triśulas*, and twenty-four silver coins. At Amarāvati was found a casket of pure gold in the form of a *stūpa* with an umbrella on the top. These show the quality of workmanship attained by the goldsmith and the jeweller of those days.³