An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c16.s22.3

v1.c16.s22.3

The pottery is in two fabrics: black-and-red ware and red ware, fine and coarse. On the exterior of the upper part of the vessels are executed linear paintings in kaolin. Thereafter the entire surface is covered under a thin wash of reddish-brown ochre. When minutely observed the red wash is seen to contain a network of cracks. The crackling is believed to be due to saltglazing. Alternatively it is explained as being due to the varying degree of shrinkage of the dressing into the body clay, along with the possible presence of small quantities of organic matter, salt and other fluxes under typical firing conditions.