Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c11.s15: Pigments

v1.c11.s15.1

The pigement most used was a manganiferous heamatite which when heated becomes purple to black, depending upon the amount of iron contained in it. The very same pigment is used for the painted pottery of Sindh today: it is bought in the bazaar in small lumps and rubbed down to the required consistency. This was the only paint used for the monochrome ware of Mohenjo-Daro. For the polychrome ware a red ochre was also used, and sometimes a green pigment (terre verte). When the manganiferous paint is applied in a sufficiently fluid state to a slip and especially to a wash, it readily penetrates to and stains the surface of the pottery below. The paint has a thick and opaque matt appearance and is sometimes raised a little above the level of the slip. (MCK, 215)