[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989) › v1.c9.s18.t1.9 # An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s18.t1.9 An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s18.t1.9 - **Language:** English ### [v1.c9.s18.t1.9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c9.s18.t1.9) The art of making terracotta was also quite flourishing. Many of these could have been toys, but some were certainly of religious significance. The art in the period shows a steady evolution. Hand-moulded pieces with pinched nose, incised mouth and eyes, stumpy and incomplete arms and legs developed into beautifully moulded figurines of dancing girls and of graceful women with a variety of head-dresses and ear ornaments. Towards the end of the NBPW phase terracotta plaques, mostly of female figures or of \*mithunas\* became popular. A few plaques from CAMPĀ \[as elsewhere from the upper and lower Ganga valley\] have weapons arrayed on the top, the figurines thus probably representing a \*śakti\*. Winged female figurines from VAIŚĀLĪ and one from CAMPĀ having w. Asian head-dress suggest w. contacts. Animal figurines and toy ram-carts with wheels (one tortoise-shell cart from CAMPĀ) show the skill and artistry of the toy-maker. Conventionalized terracotta figurines of snake \[17\], abundantly found throughout this period, attest to an early \*nāga\* cult particularly prevalent in Bihar, as it is even today. - [Previous: v1.c9.s18.t1.8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c9.s18.t1.8) - [Next: v1.c9.s18.t1.10](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c9.s18.t1.10) - [Up: v1.c9.s18.t1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c9.s18.t1) ## Cites (1) - [Vaiśālī](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.vaisali) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c9.s18.t1.9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c9.s18.t1.9) · Pramāṇa