An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c21.s14.5

v1.c21.s14.5

Both massive and powdered steatite were used for making various objects. Steatite caskets were made by carving. Beads, bangles and seals were made by moulding steatite paste into desired shapes and baking them. The baked material was then cut to shape with a sharp tool. The cylindrical and other beads were probably made by rolling steatite paste on a thread and cutting the moulded and fired material to shape. Seals were similarly made. The glazing effect was probably produced by firing the seals after coating them with a paste of soda. The use of very fine cutting tools such as saw is attested by the numerous microbeads found at many sites. Marks and striations left by the cutting implements are noticeable on the surface of many objects.