Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c28.s8.t1.3

v1.c28.s8.t1.3

The four pre-Gupta Period icons found in Gujarat and described by Swarnakamal (vide items 3-6 in Table 20.4) illustrate that during second-fourth century AD the province was a melting pot for intermingling of different art traditions — Gāndhāra, Mathurā, Amarāvatī and Kuṣāṇa or Indo-Pārthian styles. The Fasting Śākyamuni (no. 3) was made of pure soft copper. Absence of sulphur and core markings or dendrite and presence of traces of silicon and iron suggest that it was made of native copper like the Zanskar Valley material in Taxila as reported by Sana Ulla. (Swarnakamal, 1980: 48-51) The rough finish Analysis of Metallic Items and Icons from Ancient and Medieval Gujarat