An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s14.t2.2

v1.c9.s14.t2.2

In ceramics four traditions, viz. (1) dull grey pottery, (2) greyish-buff pottery, (3) a kind of red-and-grey pottery known as Savalda Ware [11.3], and (4) blackslipped ware, have been observed. Besides, the whitepainted black-and-red ware [11.6] and a black-painted red ware are found sporadically at certain sites. The dull grey ware is fashioned out of micaceous clay and has a coarse gritty core. Most of the vessels are wheelthrown, partly wheel-thrown and partly handmade specimens occurring less frequently. The surface of the vessels is plain, slipped and burnished. Some have a roughened or rusticated undersurface. The decorations consist of both incised and painted designs, the latter both post- and pre-firing. The designs are simple linear and rarely a fish motif, the pigments being white in the pre-firing and red ochre in the post-firing paintings. The shapes in this ware are mostly utilitarian; channelspouts, lug-handles and dishes-on-stand are specialized pot forms. The type site for this ware is MASKI. The second, greyish-buff ware, ranges from medium to fine in fabric with a brick-red or greyish core and from medium to thick in section. The surface treatment consists of fine burnishing and in some a cream or buff slip. The ware is devoid of painted or incised designs. The third ceramic—the Savalda Ware—named after the type site in the Tapti valley—is red and grey. The fabric is coarse to medium with a brick red core of even thickness. The whole range of the pottery is wheel-thrown and is well-burnt. Paintings, done regularly and in neat brush, are in black and violet executed on rims, shoulders and even interiors of the vessels. The design repertoire is varied, comprising linear, geometric, plant and animal motifs, among which the fish, peacock and harpoon are the most common. However on grey wares the designs are simple linear patterns in jet black or white. The ware also bears bichrome patterns in red and black, parallel lines being mostly in red pigment. The surface treatment consists of slip only. The pot forms are the vase with a collared or thickened rim or externally out-turned rim, coarse thick slipped/unslipped beaker, high-necked jar, conical lid, dish-on-stand, etc., the last being popular in grey ware. The fourth variety—the black-slipped pottery—is medium to thin in section and has a fine reddish-pink core. Its frequency is very low. The surface treatment comprises burnishing and black slip. The painted designs are in red and comprise stars and horizontal and vertical lines. This ware recalls similar ceramics from the earlier levels of KAYATHA [11.7].