Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c11.s8.6

v1.c11.s8.6

Therefore it seems that the coating upon these seals is made of the same material as the seals themselves. There is reason to think that the coating was an applied one, for it scales off in the same manner as a slip would do. Possibly before a seal was considered ready for engraving, it was coated in order to cancel blemish and was then baked in a kiln. The result of the firing was undoubtedly to whiten and improve the outside surface. (MS-II, 379)