The Early History of the Deccan (Parts I–XI) v2.c16.s2.62

v2.c16.s2.62

The terracottas representing animal figures show neat workmanship and a definite trend towards realism. The head of the ram (Plate LV *b*) is a good example of the latter tendency, although the rolls of wool around the animal's neck have made the presentation somewhat conventional. The mane of the lion (Plate LV*a*) has somewhat the same stereotyped effect. The figure of the lion in general is rather dumpy, as are also the representations of the horse and the bull. The short, thick horns of the bull, its muzzle, and neck ornaments resemble very closely those of the bulls (*nandis*) of the Śaivite temples of Telingāna of the tenth to thirteenth centuries, and it appears that the traditions regarding the above features established by the potters of the early centuries of the Christian era were followed by the sculptors of the Deccan for over a millennium afterwards.