Vaishali Institute Research Bulletin 4

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

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Vaishali Institute Research Bulletin No. 4
ment" feature which relates it to 'Sri' known from some examples of Can this be explained as an attempt at India.
Deccan and South India.81 nisation of an alien motif ?
The Naga head (Fig. 5) shows a peaked cap with five serpent hood held by a fillet. The small face is flat and ovoid with depressed nose and wide open eyes. The ears are decorated with patra-kundala. The peaked cap closely resembles the scythian head-dress. The motif, once established, continued almost unchanged till a later date. A similar head is noticed from the late level of period III during 1958-1962 excavation.82
Numerically as well as thematically the most significant phase of Vaišali terracottas falls between C 150 B.C-100 A.D. Stratigraphic evidence is abundant, but at times confusing. The period is marked by wide spread use of moulds which partially explains the starting growth in quantity. But the earlier hand-modelled method was not totally out of use. In fact, a continuation of early style and technique is quite evident. A group of human figurines 88 retains much of the earlier features, but for the stratigraphic evidence they would have been considered with the Mauryan pieces. Terracottas of this phase are usually two-dimensional. The figures are frontally conceived. They are decked in heavy coiffure and rich
A2Z
Fig. 5
31. Moti chandra, An Ivory Figure From Ter. Lalitkala, 8, 1960, pp. 7-14, fromtispiece & pl. 1.
VE, 58.62, pl. XLIV. Fig. 9.
Ibid, pl. XLI.
32.
33.