Painted Decorations on Pottery from Chalcolithic Sites of Gujarat: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

Gujarat region's cultural conglomeration can be traced through decorative paintings on Harappan pottery and later Chalcolithic culture. These paintings are of variety of patterns constitute of motifs and elements like geometric, non-geometric, human, floral motif etc. Regularity of forms, outstanding symmetry between various component motifs, supplemented by the best rhythmic effect is clearly established by Harappan potters. The paintings demonstrate a remarkable blend of geometrical as well as natural motifs, rendering natural harmony to the subject. None of the motifs represent an isolated occurrence, but the entire repertoire of painted designs is found to continue, but of course with variations and modifications, in the cultures that succeeded the Harappa culture throughout India.