An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c16.s1.14

v1.c16.s1.14

The clay used for this pottery is generally micaceous and mixed with grit or sand. The wall thickness ranges from 0·5 to 2 cm. Almost the whole range is handmade; the turntable and the dabber and anvil are the two main techniques employed. Scraping of the inner surface with a bunch of grass is another technique, more particularly in the black-on-red painted pottery of the A~3~ fabric. In many cases the rim and the base are made separately and luted to the body later on. Secondary devices like the knob, lug, loop-handles, lips, spouts, legged stands and ring bases are made separately and subsequently affixed to the body. The pots are baked in an open kiln at temperatures ranging between 500°C and 800°C. Blotchiness on the surface is a constant feature of this pottery. Grey and buff wares are the two chief fabrics of the industry. Coarse and burnished varieties occur in both these fabrics, burnishing being sometimes done over a thin slip. In some cases the outer surface is intentionally roughened. Black ware is found in small quantities at some sites. Typical white-painted black-and-red ware has been found in Phase II at TEKKALKOTA.