Vaishali Institute Research Bulletin 4

Author(s): R P Poddar
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 60

Early Terracottas From Vaiśālī
bands are done in applique. The plume is represented by oblique incisions and eyes by punched circlets. The raised ears are prominent.28 It has been suggested that the piece may be late Mauryan with some Asiatic Greek influence29 but its stylistic affiliation is very much uncertain. An interesting element in the decorative repertory is stamped leaf design. A transverse hole occurs on the body evidently as a functional element.
The winged female figure and the Naga head are reported to have come from the layer assignable to C 300-150 B. C. and they significantly provide evidence of transformation of art idiom within a recorded range of time. Both of them are turned out of moulds. The winged female (Fig. 4) betrays well-proportioned physiognomical features with rounded face and very prominent orb-like breasts. Her right hand touches the discular earornament in an effortless gesture. She wears a torque, and a necklace between the breasts and bangles. Winged figures, both male and female, are known from different sites of North India.30 And they are usually considered to be derivatives of certain West Asiatic type. But what distinguishes this figure from all other known pieces is "touching the ear-orna
28. 29.
30.
Fig. 4
Ibid. Lalitkala, 9, 1961, p. 67-68. ASIAR 1935-36, pl. XXII, Fig. 2.
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