Stone Image
A large stone image of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara was recovered from the western projection of the temple ( Square C-IV/25, layer 3 ). It was broken into few pieces. This was made of local soft laminated black stone geologically known as Dupitila Formation ( Badr, 1976: 12). Similar sculptures of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara were recovered from inside the deep shaft of the central stupa of Kutia Mura and had been dated to 7th century A.D. ( Khan, 1963:23). The present image may also be assigned to the same period.
Bronze Images
Two bronze images and the head of a small bronze image were discoverd in excavation . One of these measuring 5.8 cm × 6.4 cm probably represented Dhyani Buddha, while the other one 3.2 cm high could not identified as it was heavily encrusted.
Miscellaneous Bronze Objects
Among the various bronze objects salvaged from the site a complete bronze saucer or lid, 7.36 cm in diameter, fragments of a few bronze vessels and an ornamental bronze piece are noteworthy.
Terracotta Plaques
As many as 40 terracotta plaques had been registered from the site, most of which were found loose on the site of the shrine area in layer (2) while five were in situ in a frieze in the basement of the western projection of the shrine. These plaques were removed from the wall and kept in the store of the Mainamati museum for their security. A few plaques were also found at the monastery area. The plaques recovered from the site represented man and animal, divine and semi-divine beings, composite figures, natural motifs etc. This rich plastic art faithfully represents the social, cultural and religious life of ancient Samatata. A short descriptive catalogue of the selected specimens is given below: 1. Terracotta plaque, 31×23×6 cm, broken, slightly damaged; with a representation of bas-relief of a warrior seated in a relaxed pose, holding a sword in his left hand. Something was in the right hand which is broken and missing. He wears a necklace. Accession No.477, Square C-VII/, Layer (2). Depth 1.16 m. 2. Terracotta plaque, 33×20×2 cm, complete, slightly damaged, depicts a pair of confronting rajhansa with a pair of pearl necklaces. The plaque contains a whole in the middle of its back VII/, (1), 45 cm. 3. Terracotta plaque, 9×8×5 cm, damaged and worn, depicts a human figure. Only the lower part of his right hand holding some basket or pot like object survives. 581, E-VII/1, (2),46 cm. 4. Terracotta plaque, 32×22×6 cm, complete but badly damaged, depicts a warrior with sword in right hand , excellently executed. It is one of the finest example of mainamati terracottas. 584, , E-VII/1, (2), 53 cm . 5. Terracotta plaque, 1×10×5 cm, decayed and broken, portraying the hind part of a wild boar, Major portion of the animal is missing.601, E-VII/1, (2),76 cm. 6. Terracotta plaque, 30×17×6 cm, very much decayed and slightly damaged, represents the bas relief of an elephant. Its hollowed body is open from the side probably due to breakage or it is prepared in this design. It shows an interesting feature of its manufacturing technique, it seems that the plaques of large sizes were cast with hollowed body.642, D- VII/19,(4), 1.50 m. 7. Terracotta plaque, 19×11×5 cm , broken and decayed, retains only the hind quarter of a cow or buffalo with long tail and hoofed legs.655,D- VII/22, (2),1.5 m. 8. Terracotta plaque of a wild boar, 21 × 18 × 5 cm, broken into two pieces but restored with, its right upper corner missing and decayed. The animal is more or less intact. 664, E-VII 15, (1) 10m 9. Terracotta plaque probably depicting a warrior measuring 29 × 21 × 5 cm, broken into two halves but restored, decayed and worn out. 689, D-XV/18, (2) 82 cm. 10. Terracotta plaque, 29 × 21 × 5 cm, broken and decayed representing two male figures fighting each other. Their heads are missing. 690, V-1/18, (2) 68 cm 11. Terracotta plaque,23 × 21 × 5 cm, broken and decayed, representing running male figure. 692, D-V/18, (2) l m. 12. Terracotta plaque, 33×21×5 cm, slightly damaged depicting a monkey sliding on a wooden log. Its hands are raised upwards and the head damaged and missing. 739, E-V/6, 3.2.5m, 13. Terracotta plaque, 35×22×6 cm, broken into two halves and damaged, representing two warriors. Left one is holding sword and the right one is seen with sword in his left hand; right hand holds some object. 744, E-V/6,(4), 2.88m. 14. Terracotta plaque, 29×21×6 cm , complete, depicting an archer in action with bow and arrow. 756, D-V/22,(2), 1.37 m. 15. Terracotta plaque, 33×22×6 cm, broken at lower right corner. It probably depicts three stupas resting in an ornamental pedestal with double rows of beads. In front of the central stupa there is probably a flower pot with a diamond shaped plant and flower. 758 E-V/6, (4), 3.15 m. 16. Terracotta plaque, 20×21×5 cm, complete representing a lion with single head and two bodies. The plaque probably was meant to decorate the corner of the shrine. 759, E-V/6,(4), 3.1m. 17. Terracotta plaque,26×20×5 cm, complete, slightly defaced, representing a composite figure comprised of human face (badly damaged ) and animal body with two stylized wings. 760. D-V/22,(2), 1.37m. 18. Terracotta plaque, 15×12×5 cm, broken, only the left hand of a warrior is preserved which holds a shield. 761,E-V/6,(3),2 m. 19. Terracotta plaque, 24×16×5 cm, broken out but restored. It depicts a crudely lion with a single head and double bodies. 782.D-V/22,(2), 20. Terracotta plaque, 23×15×5 cm , broken and decayed, depicts a stylized horse. 784 (2), D-V/22,(2), 1.6 m. 21. Terracotta plaque, 30×21×6 cm, broken and decayed, represents a horse-rider. Arms of the rider are raised upto his shoulder level. Tail of the horse is missing. 795.E-V/4,(2), 1m. 22. Terracotta plaque, 33×21×6 cm, beautifully depicting an elephant and two rats representing a popular folk tale of Bengal. The elephant is ensnared with rope around its legs and the tiny rat friends ate cutting the rope to get the elephant free from bondage. Trunk and tail of the elephant are partly broken. 796, E-V/4, (2),1 m 1). 23. Terracotta plaque, 34×20×7 cm, broken and decayed, representing a male dancer. His head, right knee and fingers of both the legs are broken and missing. 817.E-V/6, (4), 3.5 m. 24. Large terracotta plaque, 40×21×6 cm, complete and beautifully executed. It represents two fighting monkeys.871.E-V/4,(4),76 cm 2). 25. Terracotta plaque, 30×21×5 cm, broken and decayed depicting makara. 896, C-IV/24,(2A),2.2 m.3). 26. Terracotta plaque, 26×22×9 cm, complete but worn out. It represents a male dancer. Back side of the plaque is carved. 913,C-IV/24,(2A), 2.05m 4). 27. Terracotta plaque, 31×21×7 cm, complete, excellently executed. It depicts a blue lotus with expanded petals.914,C-IV/24,(2A),2.05m .
Terracotta plaques ‘in situ’
28-29. Two terracotta plaques, 24×21×4 cm, and 25×21×4 cm, respectively. Both are complete and excellently executed; each depicting a horse-rider. Since these two plaques were set in the basement confronting each other it appeared that they were fighting one another. 950, C-IV/24, 951, C-IV/24,6). 30. Terracotta plaque, 26×18×5 cm, complete and in good state of preservation. It excellently represents a maned lion face with protruding tongue, bulging eyes. Developed eye brow. Paws of the animal ate placed in front. 952. G-IV/24, 7). 31-32.1 Two complete terracotta plaques, 24×19×5 cm and 24×20×5 cm, in good condition. One depicts excellent archer having bow. The archer wears dhoti, necklace and bangles. 953,G-IV/24. The other one is holding shield in his left hand. Like horse riders these two plaques also were set on basement in such a fashion that they appear to fight one another ( two figures on left of this panel).
