An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c15.s2.6

v1.c15.s2.6

Intaglios have designs cut or engraved in a hard stone or metal, depicting scenes, portraits, busts, animals, zodiacal signs, planetary objects and other terrestrial designs. The early ones at Sirkap belong to the Parthian period and the rest are datable to the 4th-5th century. They are cut *en cabochon* in stones such as malachite, jacinth, carnelian and chert as well as in glass. The engravings mostly depict Graeco-Roman divine figures such as Winged Nike and Athen; others have various figures and busts. One of them, of chert, is engraved with the legend *Śrī-Kuleśvaradāsa* in Brāhmī of the 5th century.