An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c23.s4.2

v1.c23.s4.2

These rubbers have various shapes and patterns—mostly rectangular, square or circular and rarely planoconvex, oval, barrel-shaped or trapezoid. To enhance their utility for scrubbing the skin they are either pecked or incised with oblique lines, rectangular or semicircular notches, triangular V-shaped notches, checks, zigzags chevrons. While the barrel-shaped rubbers are wheel-turned others are handmade. For terracotta rubbers the clay is mixed with lime and a sufficient quantity of sand to obtain a rough surface. Often quartz pieces are added to roughen the exterior.