An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c23.s2.2

v1.c23.s2.2

Vessels, variously of bronze, silver, faïence, alabaster and pottery, have been found at Mohenjo-daro (Marshall, 1931, pp. 365-66, pl. CI. 8; Mackay, 1938, p. 194, pls. LV, 27, LX, 31a, CXLI, 60, pp. 211, 317, 450, pls. LXIV, 42, CXXVIII, 18, CXXXIII, 5, pp. 317-8, 21, 22, pls. LVI, 24, CV, 34 and 35, CXLIII, 12 and 13, pp. 321-3, pl. CXLII, 42, 43 and 52) and Harappa (Vats, 1940, pp. 311-2, pl. LXXXII, 30 and 16) which were perhaps used as containers for cosmetics as is evident from traces inside these variously of collyrium, kohl, cerussite, etc. (Marshall, 1931, p. 365; Mackay, 1938, pp. 322-3; Vats, 1940, p. 312). It is likely that the miniature pottery vases (Mackay, 1938, p. 194, pls. LV, 27, CXLI, 60) found at the Harappa sites which simulate the shapes of bronze, faïence and alabaster vases also served the purpose of keeping cosmetics. From the shapes of some of the faïence jars it appears that they were kept in toilet boxes or other receptacles. The compartmented stone vessels found at Mohenjo-daro (Marshall, 1931, p. 369, pl. CXXXI, 36 and 37; Mackay, 1938, p. 321, pl. CXLII, 43a and 45) could also have served as toilet boxes.