Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c11.s13.3

v1.c11.s13.3

The white body of the faience is free from any metallic colouring matter and forms the basis for the coloured varieties. The blue and green shades were produced by the addition of copper oxide to the paste, probably in the form of a natural ore of this metal; and the chocolate colour is due to cuprous oxide which was the result of a reducing atmosphere in the kiln. The light red variety was prepared by the addition of red ochre to the raw paste.