Ancient India – Western Bengal, Chandraketugarh tradition Terracotta Yakshi-style narrative plaque about an aquatic monster - 11.5 cm
12
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04
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08
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52
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Current bid
€ 3
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 900 - € 1,100
 | €3 | |
|---|---|---|
 | €2 | |
 | €1 |
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Rare moulded terracotta narrative plaque from western Bengal’s Chandraketugarh tradition, depicting a richly dressed Yakshi seated sideways on a hybrid aquatic makara, datable to the 2nd century BCE–1st century CE, measuring 11.5 × 12.7 × 1.5 cm (16.5 cm with the modern base) and weighing about 414 g, originally authentic and restored.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Rare molded terracotta plaque narrative depicting a richly adorned female figure, probably a Yakṣī or female deity connected with the forces of nature, seated laterally on an imposing hybrid aquatic monster of the makara type.
The composition stands out for its particularly appealing horizontal format, the richness of its decoration, and its molded frame punctuated by small circular motifs and large rosettes at the corners. The scene belongs to the vocabulary of ancient Indian terracottas and shows strong stylistic affinities with productions from **Chandraketugarh, in western Bengal**, an important artistic and commercial center of the lower Ganges valley.
The piece is very likely attributed to the **Chandraketugarh tradition**, in the horizon **post-Maurya / Śuṅga – early Kushan**, and can be dated to the **2nd century BCE to 1st century CE**.
The plaque was made by unifacial casting; the reverse, undecorated, preserves the irregularities and smoothing traces characteristic of this fabrication method.
**Etat :** anciently fragmented and restored plaque, in relatively good condition considering its age. The fracture lines remain visible, with wear, abrasions and small superficial losses. The restoration is stable and allows an excellent overall reading of the composition. Modern metal base.
**Dimensions hors socle :** 11.5 × 12.7 × 1.5 cm.
**Hauteur totale avec socle :** 16.5 cm.
**Poids :** 414 g, probably including the base.
**Important – Thermoluminescence:** no thermoluminescence (TL) analysis has been performed on this work. Attribution, dating and authenticity opinion rely on physical and macroscopic examination of the piece, its fabrication technique, study of its surfaces and preservation state, as well as comparison with documented archaeological, museum and scientific corpora.
A particularly interesting piece due to the rarity of its narrative composition, its aquatic iconography, and its attachment to the important terracotta productions of ancient eastern India.
video link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/br9lek0xlmove436hf9gf/AEKR0bttUZdt-uwH1xh0bnM?rlkey=h2l2kaf64anu9iuy04icpg6fv&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 molded terracotta plaque narrative depicting a richly adorned female figure, probably a Yakṣī or female deity connected with the forces of nature, seated laterally on an imposing hybrid aquatic monster of the makara type.
The composition stands out for its particularly appealing horizontal format, the richness of its decoration, and its molded frame punctuated by small circular motifs and large rosettes at the corners. The scene belongs to the vocabulary of ancient Indian terracottas and shows strong stylistic affinities with productions from **Chandraketugarh, in western Bengal**, an important artistic and commercial center of the lower Ganges valley.
The piece is very likely attributed to the **Chandraketugarh tradition**, in the horizon **post-Maurya / Śuṅga – early Kushan**, and can be dated to the **2nd century BCE to 1st century CE**.
The plaque was made by unifacial casting; the reverse, undecorated, preserves the irregularities and smoothing traces characteristic of this fabrication method.
**Etat :** anciently fragmented and restored plaque, in relatively good condition considering its age. The fracture lines remain visible, with wear, abrasions and small superficial losses. The restoration is stable and allows an excellent overall reading of the composition. Modern metal base.
**Dimensions hors socle :** 11.5 × 12.7 × 1.5 cm.
**Hauteur totale avec socle :** 16.5 cm.
**Poids :** 414 g, probably including the base.
**Important – Thermoluminescence:** no thermoluminescence (TL) analysis has been performed on this work. Attribution, dating and authenticity opinion rely on physical and macroscopic examination of the piece, its fabrication technique, study of its surfaces and preservation state, as well as comparison with documented archaeological, museum and scientific corpora.
A particularly interesting piece due to the rarity of its narrative composition, its aquatic iconography, and its attachment to the important terracotta productions of ancient eastern India.
video link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/br9lek0xlmove436hf9gf/AEKR0bttUZdt-uwH1xh0bnM?rlkey=h2l2kaf64anu9iuy04icpg6fv&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, Chandraketugarh tradition
Century/timeframe
IIe siècle av. J.-C. – Ier siècle apr. J.-C. | Période post-maurya / Śuṅga – début Kushan
Name of object
Yakshi-style narrative plaque about an aquatic monster
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2025
Material
Terracotta
Country acquired from
Belgium
Condition
Plaque formerly fragmented and restored; in good condition considering its age.
Previous owner acquired from
Gallery / Antique dealer
Height
11.5 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
1979
Width
12.7 cm
Previous owner - country acquired from
Belgium
Depth
1.5 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.
