History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c20.s3.t1.9

v1.c20.s3.t1.9

A large variety of ochres, haematites, pigments and organic colours were used by the potters of ancient India as they are done today. As a rule, slip treatment also was given to the pots before they were fired. Slipping serves two purposes it helps in closing the pores and secondly, it provides smooth surfaces helpful in painting a design on them. Slipping was done by dipping the pot after burnishing in a solution or by painting with a solution formed by the finest portion of the clay used for making the pot or of any suitable material. For slip preparation also ochres, pigments or clay were considered as suitable materials.