Terracotta of West Bengal
History
The terracotta art with its long and continuous history of the preceding centuries has imbibed such ideals which are based upon a thorough & explicit understanding of the human form. The ponderous ornaments of the Sunga - Kushana figurines became lean and delicate in the hands of the sculptors of the Gupta period. The delicate quality of human form, however, is much reflected in the various figurines of this age. In the riparian land of Bengal terracotta is the most suitable and convenient material for decorating the exterior walls of such architecture. The material prosperity of Bengal accrued from this trade has its confirmation in the discovery of imperial Kushana. A school of terracotta art developed under this favorable condition of the Sunga - Kushana epoch. The high degree of sophistication exhibited by the terracottas of this period was inevitable. Terracottas of Bengal not only depict motifs & annals of the past but also emphasise upon the chic beauty and the grandeur of the celestial world.
Techniques Used
The pots are fired in simple open-pit kilns that are very efficient and inexpensive for firing pots at a temperature of 700 - 800 degree Celsius. The pots are arranged in layers of pots, a layer of leaves, twigs and cow dung cake is some times added. The mound is then covered with a blanket of rice straw which, in turn is covered with a thin layer of loamy soil. The firing takes four to five hours.
Design & Styles
The themes and subjects introduced in terracotta art of Bengal are remarkable for their variety. This represent the manifold affairs of life. They not only reflect the picture of day to day life but also the life that assures peace and realization.
Common Materials Used
Clay, potters wheel, twigs, dry branches, leaves, firewood, rice straw
Popular Products
Divinities including Nagas & Naginis, Yakshas & Yakshis, Apsaras, Kinnaras, Vyantara Devatas, toys, animal figures, Buddhist Jatakas, erotic motifs, motifs of animals, birds & plants, seals & sealings, decoration motifs on pottery.
