NILGIRI ANIMAL FIGURE

Earthenware containers having lids fitted with figures of variety of flora, fauna, inanimate objects and fantastic creatures, were excavated from the burial areas of Nilgiri mountains of Tamil Nadu. They belong to a period roughly between 300 BCE & 300 CE. These faded reddish brown pottery were shaped by hand, using material that was levigated with organic substance and mica. Further, they were provided with a slip in the same color.

Because of firing, the core of the fabric is black.