An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c16.s16.7

v1.c16.s16.7

Bichrome NBPW is much less frequent. It shares all the features of the monochrome group except that it shows the combination of two colours. This technique marks a step forward in the potter’s craft, when on the grey surface we find two shades, always contrasting in nature, one colour always offering a background for the contrast of the second which was purely decorative in nature. In some cases a haphazard design in one colour is set off against the other, so that there may not be an overlap between the two colours. The common designs are thick and thin horizontal bands, vertical strokes, vertical strokes coming out of a horizontal band, transverse bands or strokes and simple circular bands or arches. The combination of colours seen in this group is dark steel-blue and deep red, grey and light red, black and dark brown, black and brown, black and pale red and black and ash grey.