An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c11.s13.5

v1.c11.s13.5

The terracotta 'lion-head with realistic features, affixed to a pot' found at PAUNAR, Pd II B, is reminiscent of three 'small lion-masks in relief used for decorating the sides of vessels' found in the Parthian levels of Sirkap and Dharmarājikā site at Taxila which Marshall considered as imitations of Hellenistic prototypes. Contemporary with the Taxila specimens are two miniature masks found in the late levels of Pd V of NEVASA. These masks depict human faces with bold facial features, an *uṣṇīṣa*-like knob on the forehead, big and protruding eyes, short nose and thick lips and were perhaps coated with red paint as is evident from traces of red paint on lips, ears and the forehead knob. These were also attached apparently to some pot and according to the excavators show foreign influence.