History of Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India, Incorporating the History of Hindu Chemistry by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray c12.59

c12.59

As a result of a careful examination of a number of specimens of glazed pottery Mackay has been able to throw a considerable amount of light regarding the methods employed in their preparation. Two pieces of sherds resemble very much copies of mosaic glass. But no true glass has yet been found either at Mohenjo-daro or at Harappa. Both of these are made of a light grey clay of medium thickness which is well baked and is tough. A certain amou white sand or quartz is present in the body as well and a certain amount of charcoal. A purplish black slip constitutes the dark wavy markings. The method of painting patterns seems to have been first coating the pottery pieces with this dark slip and then washing them so as to leave a wavy pattern. There is a parallel of this curious technique in a painted pottery sherd found at Kish by Watelin.