North India – the Ganges valley, probably Uttar Pradesh Terracotta Kubera votive plaque, god of wealth - 19 cm
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Current bid
€ 130
Reserve price not met
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 800 - € 1,400
 | €130 | |
|---|---|---|
| €120 | |
| €110 | |
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A votive terracotta plaque depicting Kubera, god of wealth, from North India (Ganges valley, probably Uttar Pradesh) dating to the Kushan period (1st–2nd century CE), 19 × 12 × 3 cm (19.5 cm with modern base), 665 g, acquired in 2025 from a Belgian private collection, and listed as Original/officiel.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Beautiful molded terracotta votive plaque, most likely depicting Kubera, the god of wealth and lord of the Yakshas, originating from northern India and attributed to the Kushan period, 1st–2nd century AD.
The deity is depicted seated, facing forward, with a markedly developed belly, characteristic of Kubera’s iconography. In the right hand he holds a cup or a receptacle, while the left hand rests on a volume interpreted as a pouch or bag of wealth. This combination of attributes, along with the figure’s corpulence and the richness of his ornaments, closely links the plaque to older representations of Kubera and the abundance Yakshas known from the Ganges valley.
The figure is richly adorned with necklaces, bracelets and body ornaments. The frontal treatment, high-relief composition, and the large radiating halo give the piece a particularly decorative presence. The plaque was made by mould casting, a technique widely used in the major centres of terracotta production in northern India during the early centuries of our era.
Important – Thermoluminescence (TL): no thermoluminescence analysis has been conducted on this piece. Attributions and dating proposed are based on the material examination and macroscopic study of the object, the study of its fabrication technique and surfaces, and comparison with available archaeological, museological and scientific corpora.
Condition: losses and ancient breaks in the upper part, notably around the halo, as well as a small more recent flake along the upper edge. Uniform surface wear consistent with the age of the piece. No visible structural restoration. Mounted on a modern plinth.
Dimensions (excluding plinth): 19 × 12 × 3 cm.
Height with plinth: 19.5 cm.
Weight with plinth: 665 g.
Provenance: former Belgian private collection, acquired between 1979 and 2009, then inherited through descendants.
video link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/vav5x1vtkoqecueie6d2m/AIJGxjmY5QkchB74JDzN5gQ?rlkey=53ubmu1jxm8sktvelv3azwt7z&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 TranslateBeautiful molded terracotta votive plaque, most likely depicting Kubera, the god of wealth and lord of the Yakshas, originating from northern India and attributed to the Kushan period, 1st–2nd century AD.
The deity is depicted seated, facing forward, with a markedly developed belly, characteristic of Kubera’s iconography. In the right hand he holds a cup or a receptacle, while the left hand rests on a volume interpreted as a pouch or bag of wealth. This combination of attributes, along with the figure’s corpulence and the richness of his ornaments, closely links the plaque to older representations of Kubera and the abundance Yakshas known from the Ganges valley.
The figure is richly adorned with necklaces, bracelets and body ornaments. The frontal treatment, high-relief composition, and the large radiating halo give the piece a particularly decorative presence. The plaque was made by mould casting, a technique widely used in the major centres of terracotta production in northern India during the early centuries of our era.
Important – Thermoluminescence (TL): no thermoluminescence analysis has been conducted on this piece. Attributions and dating proposed are based on the material examination and macroscopic study of the object, the study of its fabrication technique and surfaces, and comparison with available archaeological, museological and scientific corpora.
Condition: losses and ancient breaks in the upper part, notably around the halo, as well as a small more recent flake along the upper edge. Uniform surface wear consistent with the age of the piece. No visible structural restoration. Mounted on a modern plinth.
Dimensions (excluding plinth): 19 × 12 × 3 cm.
Height with plinth: 19.5 cm.
Weight with plinth: 665 g.
Provenance: former Belgian private collection, acquired between 1979 and 2009, then inherited through descendants.
video link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/vav5x1vtkoqecueie6d2m/AIJGxjmY5QkchB74JDzN5gQ?rlkey=53ubmu1jxm8sktvelv3azwt7z&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
North India – the Ganges valley, probably Uttar Pradesh
Century/timeframe
Ier–IIe siècle apr. J.-C. – période kouchane
Name of object
Kubera votive plaque, god of wealth
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2025
Material
Terracotta
Country acquired from
Belgium
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Gallery / Antique dealer
Height
19 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
1979
Width
12 cm
Previous owner - country acquired from
Belgium
Depth
3 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.
