Madhya Pradesh / Bundelkhand – Chandela Dynasty, Khajuraho’s artistic milieu. red-pink sandstone Rare architectural fragment from Chandela architecture in pink sandstone – Mithuna – Central India - 42 cm
15
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19
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Current bid
€ 1,000
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 € 23,000 - € 28,000
 | €1,000 | |
|---|---|---|
 | €550 | |
| €500 | |
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Rare architectural Chandela fragment in rose-red sandstone from central India, dating to the late 10th–early 11th century, showing a sensually entwined mithuna couple with an elephantine figure at the base, measuring 42 × 36 × 13 cm and weighing 13.8 kg, in very good condition for its age, with a provenance from a Belgian private collection and acquired in India in 2007, accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and attribution.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Important fragment in pinkish-red sandstone, carved in very high relief and largely perforated, depicting a masculine-feminine romantic couple (mithuna), accompanied in the lower part by an elephantine figure integrated into the decor.
The work belongs to medieval sculpture of central India, Madhya Pradesh / Bundelkhand, and shows strong affinities with the productions of the Chandela dynasty, particularly with the artistic milieu of Khajuraho. It can be dated to the late 10th – early 11th century, around 975–1050.
The couple is represented in a stance of intimacy that is particularly expressive: the two faces meet as the bodies, tightly interwoven, create a composition that is both sensuous and highly dynamic. The figures are richly adorned with necklaces, bracelets, armlets, belts, and large ear-pieces. The carefully structured hairstyles and the ample modeling of the bodies are characteristic of refined central Indian sculpture around the year 1000.
The relief is also distinguished by the exceptional depth of its size. The spaces between the arms, bodies, and legs are broadly hollowed, giving certain parts a nearly free-standing sculptural quality. The continuous base and the large curving border confirm that it was originally an architectural element of a temple.
The secondary figure located in the lower part exhibits elephantine features. Given its fragmentary state and its stylization, it is deliberately described with caution as an elephantine figure or composite creature of predominantly elephantine aspect, belonging to the rich vocabulary of fantasy in Indian medieval religious architecture.
The surface shows a beautiful variety of pinkish-red, beige, and gray tones, as well as ancient and differentiated weathering, particularly visible on the projecting parts. Deposits and inlays remain in the sheltered areas. These characteristics, together with the carving technique, the perforation, and the construction of the relief, are fully consistent with the antiquity attributed to the work.
Condition: good overall given the age and the architectural nature of the piece. Old wear and weathering, surface deposits, peripheral losses and chips, as well as some small incidents. The two main figures, their faces, their adornments, and the essential composition remain remarkably legible. No major restoration is clearly visible.
Dimensions: 42 × 36 × 13 cm
Weight: 13.8 kg
Material: pinkish-red sandstone
Provenance: private Belgian collection; acquired in India in 2007. A declaration of provenance accompanies the work.
The piece is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and detailed attribution, issued after examination of the work and cross-checking with the scholarly and museum corpus dedicated to central Indian sculpture and Chandela productions.
video link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/0856vsfjmaji2eqr7h283/AHMHk2lIHTyu9ilB0FYfH38?rlkey=wee2jnpy5a5048uj8wrg6nvdc&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 TranslateImportant fragment in pinkish-red sandstone, carved in very high relief and largely perforated, depicting a masculine-feminine romantic couple (mithuna), accompanied in the lower part by an elephantine figure integrated into the decor.
The work belongs to medieval sculpture of central India, Madhya Pradesh / Bundelkhand, and shows strong affinities with the productions of the Chandela dynasty, particularly with the artistic milieu of Khajuraho. It can be dated to the late 10th – early 11th century, around 975–1050.
The couple is represented in a stance of intimacy that is particularly expressive: the two faces meet as the bodies, tightly interwoven, create a composition that is both sensuous and highly dynamic. The figures are richly adorned with necklaces, bracelets, armlets, belts, and large ear-pieces. The carefully structured hairstyles and the ample modeling of the bodies are characteristic of refined central Indian sculpture around the year 1000.
The relief is also distinguished by the exceptional depth of its size. The spaces between the arms, bodies, and legs are broadly hollowed, giving certain parts a nearly free-standing sculptural quality. The continuous base and the large curving border confirm that it was originally an architectural element of a temple.
The secondary figure located in the lower part exhibits elephantine features. Given its fragmentary state and its stylization, it is deliberately described with caution as an elephantine figure or composite creature of predominantly elephantine aspect, belonging to the rich vocabulary of fantasy in Indian medieval religious architecture.
The surface shows a beautiful variety of pinkish-red, beige, and gray tones, as well as ancient and differentiated weathering, particularly visible on the projecting parts. Deposits and inlays remain in the sheltered areas. These characteristics, together with the carving technique, the perforation, and the construction of the relief, are fully consistent with the antiquity attributed to the work.
Condition: good overall given the age and the architectural nature of the piece. Old wear and weathering, surface deposits, peripheral losses and chips, as well as some small incidents. The two main figures, their faces, their adornments, and the essential composition remain remarkably legible. No major restoration is clearly visible.
Dimensions: 42 × 36 × 13 cm
Weight: 13.8 kg
Material: pinkish-red sandstone
Provenance: private Belgian collection; acquired in India in 2007. A declaration of provenance accompanies the work.
The piece is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and detailed attribution, issued after examination of the work and cross-checking with the scholarly and museum corpus dedicated to central Indian sculpture and Chandela productions.
video link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/0856vsfjmaji2eqr7h283/AHMHk2lIHTyu9ilB0FYfH38?rlkey=wee2jnpy5a5048uj8wrg6nvdc&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
Madhya Pradesh / Bundelkhand – Chandela Dynasty, Khajuraho’s artistic milieu.
Century/timeframe
Fin du Xe – début du XIe siècle | Période Chandela, vers 975–1050
Name of object
Rare architectural fragment from Chandela architecture in pink sandstone – Mithuna – Central India
Acquired from
Gallery / Antique dealer
Year acquired
2007
Material
red-pink sandstone
Country acquired from
India
Condition
Very good condition considering its age.
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Height
42 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
2020
Width
36 cm
Previous owner - country acquired from
Belgium
Depth
13 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.
