INDUS VALLEY: SEAL, MOHENJO-DARO
CAPTION: "Seal", Mohenjo-daro
MORE INFORMATION: Square seal depicting a nude male deity with three
faces, seated in yogic
position on a throne, wearing bangles on both arms and an elaborate headdress.
Five symbols of the Indus script appear on either side of the headdress
which is
made of two outward projecting buffalo style curved horns, with two upward
projecting points. A single branch with three pipal leaves rises from the
middle
of the headdress.
Seven bangles are depicted on the left arm and six on the right, with the
hands
resting on the knees. The heels are pressed together under the groin and
the feet
project beyond the edge of the throne. The feet of the throne are carved
with the
hoof of a bovine as is seen on the bull and unicorn seals. The seal may
not have
been fired, but the stone is very hard. A grooved and perforated boss is
present
on the back of the seal.
Material: tan steatite
Dimensions: 2.65 x 2.7 cm, 0.83 to 0.86 thickness
Mohenjo-daro, DK 12050
Islamabad Museum, NMP 50.296
Mackay 1938: 335, pl. LXXXVII, 222
SOURCE ATTRIBUTION: Photograph and text by Jonathan Mark Kenoyer and
Richard H. Meadow. Taken from the excellent website www.harappa.com and
used here WITHOUT permission.
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