An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c21.s11: 16.11 Potters’ Dabbers
An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c21.s11
- Language
- English
16.11 Potters’ Dabbers
v1.c21.s11.1
Potters’ dabbers are amongst the tools used in pottery-making. They are generally made of medium to coarse clay and are dull red or greyish in colour; they are usually treated with a wash or even slip. Such dabbers, either wheel-turned or handmade, are solid and sometimes have a hole at the top for the insertion of a handle. Hollow specimens have also been reported, as also of stone. All of them have a well-formed handle at the top with a groove below to provide a firm grip. In some cases
v1.c21.s11.2
Dabbers were in use during Harappa times and continue in use till today. They are held as a support inside the vessel while the potter beats it on the outside with a wooden bat to enlarge its girth. Originally the vessels are made with a thick and flat lower portion which is subsequently thinned down when the vessel is in a leather-hard condition. It is then enlarged and shaped with the help of the dabber and the bat. During this process the dabber prevents the vessel from cracking or getting deformed. Thus the term ‘dabber’ is a misnomer. It actually acts as an anvil on which the pot is beaten into shape by the beater, which is really the dabber.
v1.c21.s11.3
Dabbers have been recovered from several sites, viz. HASTINĀPURA, ATRANJIKHERA, VAIŚĀLĪ, RAJBADIDANGA, NOH, KESARAPALLE, PRAKASH, NEVASA, BHOKARDAN, etc. The dabbers recovered from SAMBHAR bear the names of their owners either written in ink or incised.
v1.c21.s11.4
Ghosh, A., 1953, in *Man*, 53, p. 48. For sites see respective entries in vol. II.—J.S. NIGAM