Ancient India – Western Bengal, the Chandraketugarh tradition Terracotta Rare fragment of a terracotta plaque – Female figure Pañchachūḍā - 7.3 cm
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€ 240
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 900 - € 1,600
 | €240 | |
|---|---|---|
 | €220 | |
 | €200 | |
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Rare uniface terracotta plaque fragment depicting a Pañchachūḍā female figure of Chandraketugarh tradition from western Bengal, India, dating to the 2nd century BCE to 1st century CE, mounted on a modern metal base, with dimensions 7.3 × 8.7 × 2.2 cm and a weight of 164.3 g, with provenance from a Belgian private collection (R. M., 1933–2023) and then by succession.
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Description from the seller
Rare fragment of a moulded terracotta figurative plaque representing a female figure of the type called **Pañchachūḍā**, linked to the artistic tradition of **Chandraketugarh, in West Bengal**.
The figure is depicted frontally, with a face of full volumes framed by **large circular ear ornaments**. She wears a rich chest ornament and above all a spectacular monumental hairstyle adorned with ray-like elements, traditionally interpreted as pins or weapon-shaped attributes. This type of female figure is one of the most characteristic groups of Chandraketugarh’s terracotta works.
The exact identification of these figures remains debated in specialist literature: they have notably been linked to the Yakṣī and are frequently designated under the term **Pañchachūḍā**. Here this term is used as a typological designation and not as a definite identification of a particular deity.
The piece belongs to the artistic horizon of **Ancient India, ancient historical period / post-Mauryan – Śuṅga up to the early Kushan era**, with a dating placed between the **2nd century BCE and the 1st century CE**.
The plaque was made by **uniface moulded terracotta**; the reverse, more crude, shows irregularities and smoothing traces typical of this manufacturing process.
Despite its fragmentary state, the preserved portion is particularly interesting since it precisely includes the most significant elements of the type: **face, hairstyle, ray-emitting attributes, large earrings and torso ornamentation**.
The surface shows ancient wear, abrasions, small losses and deposits in the hollows compatible with the object's age. No major restoration or modern reconstitution is visible. Presented on a **modern metal base**.
**Important – Thermoluminescence:** no thermoluminescence (TL) analysis has been performed on this work. The attribution, dating and authenticity assessment rely on physical and macroscopic examination of the piece, its manufacturing technique, study of its surfaces and conservation state, and comparison with documented archaeological, museum and scientific corpora.
**Provenance:** from an old private Belgian collection of R. M. (1933–2023), then by succession.**
**Dimensions of the fragment:** 7.3 × 8.7 × 2.2 cm.
**Weight:** 164.3 g.
video link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/wk89z7ukszma5jopc5oct/APixhrhRKfGe9mS0R3AFFw8?rlkey=ismt1xfp6g2261v3rzfm6hn2e&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 fragment of a moulded terracotta figurative plaque representing a female figure of the type called **Pañchachūḍā**, linked to the artistic tradition of **Chandraketugarh, in West Bengal**.
The figure is depicted frontally, with a face of full volumes framed by **large circular ear ornaments**. She wears a rich chest ornament and above all a spectacular monumental hairstyle adorned with ray-like elements, traditionally interpreted as pins or weapon-shaped attributes. This type of female figure is one of the most characteristic groups of Chandraketugarh’s terracotta works.
The exact identification of these figures remains debated in specialist literature: they have notably been linked to the Yakṣī and are frequently designated under the term **Pañchachūḍā**. Here this term is used as a typological designation and not as a definite identification of a particular deity.
The piece belongs to the artistic horizon of **Ancient India, ancient historical period / post-Mauryan – Śuṅga up to the early Kushan era**, with a dating placed between the **2nd century BCE and the 1st century CE**.
The plaque was made by **uniface moulded terracotta**; the reverse, more crude, shows irregularities and smoothing traces typical of this manufacturing process.
Despite its fragmentary state, the preserved portion is particularly interesting since it precisely includes the most significant elements of the type: **face, hairstyle, ray-emitting attributes, large earrings and torso ornamentation**.
The surface shows ancient wear, abrasions, small losses and deposits in the hollows compatible with the object's age. No major restoration or modern reconstitution is visible. Presented on a **modern metal base**.
**Important – Thermoluminescence:** no thermoluminescence (TL) analysis has been performed on this work. The attribution, dating and authenticity assessment rely on physical and macroscopic examination of the piece, its manufacturing technique, study of its surfaces and conservation state, and comparison with documented archaeological, museum and scientific corpora.
**Provenance:** from an old private Belgian collection of R. M. (1933–2023), then by succession.**
**Dimensions of the fragment:** 7.3 × 8.7 × 2.2 cm.
**Weight:** 164.3 g.
video link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/wk89z7ukszma5jopc5oct/APixhrhRKfGe9mS0R3AFFw8?rlkey=ismt1xfp6g2261v3rzfm6hn2e&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
Ancient India – Western Bengal, the Chandraketugarh tradition
Century/timeframe
IIe siècle av. J.-C. – Ier siècle apr. J.-C. ; période historique ancienne, horizon post-maurya /
Name of object
Rare fragment of a terracotta plaque – Female figure Pañchachūḍā
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2025
Material
Terracotta
Country acquired from
Belgium
Condition
Very good
Previous owner acquired from
Gallery / Antique dealer
Height
7.3 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
1979
Width
8.7 cm
Previous owner - country acquired from
Belgium
Depth
2.2 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.
