Northern India – ancient historical period Terracotta Rare disc-shaped terracotta ear ornament with a figurative design - 6 cm
15
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 700 - € 850
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Rare disc-shaped terracotta ear ornament from North India, dating to the ancient historical horizon (Shunga–post‑Shunga) circa 2nd century BCE–1st century CE, showing an anthropomorphic figure facing a large trained animal in relief, with a convex rear and a modern display boss, diameter 6 cm, thickness 2 cm, weight 122 g, in very good condition.
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Description from the seller
Rare figurative discoid earthenware ornament from North India, attributed to the ancient historical period, within a Shunga–post-Shunga stylistic horizon, circa 2nd century BCE – 1st century CE.
The main face presents a particularly interesting molded relief: an anthropomorphic figure seems confronted by a large upright animal, presumably a feline. The scene is surrounded by a regular bordered, compartmentalized frame. Partial erosion of the relief does not allow certainty in identifying the figure nor to further specify the symbolic nature of the scene.
The morphology of the object is remarkable. The disk has a strongly convex back finished with a small axial boss that is ancient and integral to the piece. A comparative study based on archaeological publications devoted to ancient Indian terracotta ornaments allows proposing with a good level of confidence a function as an ear ornament intended for a dilated earlobe. The more precise designation of tatanka or tatanka-chakra remains prudent, as ancient morphological variants are numerous.
The piece is made of ochre-red terracotta and its frontal decoration was achieved by molding. It shows wear and abrasion that are homogeneous and compatible with its antiquity. The small hole visible at the center of the rear boss is modern and was created solely to allow fixation of the object on its display stand; the boss itself is ancient.
The object has undergone a thorough material, stylistic and comparative examination, compared with several archaeological corpora and publications dedicated to terracottas and ornaments of ancient India. The authenticity and dating proposed result from the convergence of this physical examination, the expert’s experience, and the scientific documentation studied.
No thermoluminescence analysis was carried out. Given the nature and value of the object, it was considered that such an examination was not proportionately warranted. Thermoluminescence can provide scientific indication concerning the age of firing of a terracotta, but does not by itself authenticate the object, its iconography, or its cultural attribution. This absence of analysis is expressly mentioned for transparency.
Very good state of conservation given its age, with wear, abrasions and small surface irregularities visible. No significant element of the decoration has undergone modern restoration identified during the examination.
Dimensions excluding the base: diameter 6 cm; thickness 2 cm.
Weight excluding the base: 122 g.
Modern display base included.
video link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/0actm5spsyrlk8bghsyg8/AIT7TFvf5PRHiUYhPjlukoQ?rlkey=py5l5eoml8cfkaqrpep8z01yz&dl=0
Seller's Story
MIMOSA SA — EXPERTISE, RESEARCH AND TRANSMISSION
For more than 26 years, I have been working as an art dealer specializing in ancient Asian arts. My work is not simply to offer objects: it is to observe them, to understand them, to study them and to document them before passing them to a new collector.
Each work presented by Mimosa SA undergoes thorough examination. Depending on its nature, this study may concern the iconography, the style, the proportions, the material, the execution techniques, surface traces, patina, the condition, restorations, provenance as well as relevant bibliographic, museum or archaeological comparisons. When justified, additional scientific analyses may also be undertaken.
Our approach rests on the experience of sight, gained from direct contact with the works for over two decades, but also on methodical and constantly renewed research. We always favor a cautious, coherent and argued attribution rather than a seductive but insufficiently substantiated assertion.
Transparency is at the heart of our approach. The wear, gaps, accidents, ancient restorations or more recent interventions are reported as precisely as possible. When an attribution carries uncertainty or remains a working hypothesis, it is clearly presented as such.
Present on Catawiki since 2016, we have chosen to maintain a regular selection of works there in order to meet international collectors who value authenticity, knowledge and quality of documentation.
Each acquisition is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity issued under our professional responsibility. For the most important works, this certificate takes the form of a genuine study dossier gathering the main technical, stylistic, iconographic, historical and bibliographic observations made during our research.
The same standard applies to shipping. Over the years, we have developed a packaging method adapted to old, fragile, heavy or complex-shaped objects. Each work is protected, immobilized and carefully packaged, according to its material and its particularities. The shipping costs correspond to the real needs for protection, handling, insurance and secure transport. Shipping is never regarded as a source of commercial profit.
Acquiring a work from Mimosa SA is to receive a selected, studied, described, documented and prepared object with the same care that we would wish for a work destined for our own collection.
Translated by Google TranslateRare figurative discoid earthenware ornament from North India, attributed to the ancient historical period, within a Shunga–post-Shunga stylistic horizon, circa 2nd century BCE – 1st century CE.
The main face presents a particularly interesting molded relief: an anthropomorphic figure seems confronted by a large upright animal, presumably a feline. The scene is surrounded by a regular bordered, compartmentalized frame. Partial erosion of the relief does not allow certainty in identifying the figure nor to further specify the symbolic nature of the scene.
The morphology of the object is remarkable. The disk has a strongly convex back finished with a small axial boss that is ancient and integral to the piece. A comparative study based on archaeological publications devoted to ancient Indian terracotta ornaments allows proposing with a good level of confidence a function as an ear ornament intended for a dilated earlobe. The more precise designation of tatanka or tatanka-chakra remains prudent, as ancient morphological variants are numerous.
The piece is made of ochre-red terracotta and its frontal decoration was achieved by molding. It shows wear and abrasion that are homogeneous and compatible with its antiquity. The small hole visible at the center of the rear boss is modern and was created solely to allow fixation of the object on its display stand; the boss itself is ancient.
The object has undergone a thorough material, stylistic and comparative examination, compared with several archaeological corpora and publications dedicated to terracottas and ornaments of ancient India. The authenticity and dating proposed result from the convergence of this physical examination, the expert’s experience, and the scientific documentation studied.
No thermoluminescence analysis was carried out. Given the nature and value of the object, it was considered that such an examination was not proportionately warranted. Thermoluminescence can provide scientific indication concerning the age of firing of a terracotta, but does not by itself authenticate the object, its iconography, or its cultural attribution. This absence of analysis is expressly mentioned for transparency.
Very good state of conservation given its age, with wear, abrasions and small surface irregularities visible. No significant element of the decoration has undergone modern restoration identified during the examination.
Dimensions excluding the base: diameter 6 cm; thickness 2 cm.
Weight excluding the base: 122 g.
Modern display base included.
video link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/0actm5spsyrlk8bghsyg8/AIT7TFvf5PRHiUYhPjlukoQ?rlkey=py5l5eoml8cfkaqrpep8z01yz&dl=0
Seller's Story
MIMOSA SA — EXPERTISE, RESEARCH AND TRANSMISSION
For more than 26 years, I have been working as an art dealer specializing in ancient Asian arts. My work is not simply to offer objects: it is to observe them, to understand them, to study them and to document them before passing them to a new collector.
Each work presented by Mimosa SA undergoes thorough examination. Depending on its nature, this study may concern the iconography, the style, the proportions, the material, the execution techniques, surface traces, patina, the condition, restorations, provenance as well as relevant bibliographic, museum or archaeological comparisons. When justified, additional scientific analyses may also be undertaken.
Our approach rests on the experience of sight, gained from direct contact with the works for over two decades, but also on methodical and constantly renewed research. We always favor a cautious, coherent and argued attribution rather than a seductive but insufficiently substantiated assertion.
Transparency is at the heart of our approach. The wear, gaps, accidents, ancient restorations or more recent interventions are reported as precisely as possible. When an attribution carries uncertainty or remains a working hypothesis, it is clearly presented as such.
Present on Catawiki since 2016, we have chosen to maintain a regular selection of works there in order to meet international collectors who value authenticity, knowledge and quality of documentation.
Each acquisition is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity issued under our professional responsibility. For the most important works, this certificate takes the form of a genuine study dossier gathering the main technical, stylistic, iconographic, historical and bibliographic observations made during our research.
The same standard applies to shipping. Over the years, we have developed a packaging method adapted to old, fragile, heavy or complex-shaped objects. Each work is protected, immobilized and carefully packaged, according to its material and its particularities. The shipping costs correspond to the real needs for protection, handling, insurance and secure transport. Shipping is never regarded as a source of commercial profit.
Acquiring a work from Mimosa SA is to receive a selected, studied, described, documented and prepared object with the same care that we would wish for a work destined for our own collection.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Culture
Northern India – ancient historical period
Century/timeframe
IIe siècle av. J.-C. – Ier siècle apr. J.-C. | Période historique ancienne, horizon
Name of object
Rare disc-shaped terracotta ear ornament with a figurative design
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2025
Material
Terracotta
Country acquired from
Belgium
Condition
Very good
Previous owner acquired from
Gallery / Antique dealer
Height
6 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
1979
Width
6 cm
Previous owner - country acquired from
Belgium
Depth
2 cm
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
