India – Mathura – Kushan period Terracotta Figure of Hariti in white marble - 29.7 cm
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€ 25
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 4,000 - € 5,000
 | €25 | |
|---|---|---|
 | €20 | |
 | €15 | |
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Figure of Hārītī in terracotta from Mathura, Kushan period (2nd–3rd century CE), authentic original, height 29.7 cm, width 18 cm, depth 9 cm, in good condition.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
White marble figure of Hārītī — Mathura, Kushan period — 2nd–3rd century CE.
Description
India, Mathura, Kushan period, 2nd–3rd century CE.
Important Hārītī figure sculpted in the round in white marble.
The deity is represented seated on a rectangular plinth, in a relaxed pose, with legs broadly bent. Both hands are joined in front of the chest in añjali mudrā, a gesture of respect and devotion.
The face, full and harmoniously modelled, features almond-shaped eyes, gentle features and a subtle smile. The head is topped with a high coiffure, while the long hair flows down the back. The garment, treated with sobriety, crosses the torso and falls in broad folds over the legs.
The sculpture is distinguished by the power of its volumes, the frontal nature of the composition, and the generous modelling of the body, characteristics of the sculptural vocabulary developed in northern India during the Kushan period.
Hārītī holds an important place in early Buddhist iconography. Initially tied to the world of yakṣa and yakṣi, she becomes a protective deity associated with motherhood, fertility, abundance and the protection of children. Her cult developed particularly within the great artistic centers of northern India during the early centuries of our era.
A small figure of a child seems to have originally been part of the composition and is now lost, which explains some gaps visible in the lower part.
The sculpture retains an especially expressive ancient surface, with natural wear, deposits and inlays that emphasize the volumes and testify to its history.
Provenance
French private collection, formed between about 1980 and 2012.
Then by lineage.
European private collection.
Dimensions
Height: 29.5 cm
Width: 9 cm
Depth: 18 cm
Weight: 6.396 kg
Condition
Good overall condition considering its age.
Significant surface wear compatible with age, erosion, abrasions, small losses, deposits and inlays. Some residual traces of old coating or pigment are visible. Missing parts in the lower part of the composition and on certain edges of the base.
A small figure of a child belonging most likely to the original composition is currently lost.
The numerous high-resolution photographs as well as the video allow for precise examination of the condition and are an integral part of the description.
dvideo link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/mptmv2mgobux82jb02gka/ANzvw568Z57IHn-m0y50sgI?rlkey=0ung9gpsjcqyhia7ud3jgdsgx&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 TranslateWhite marble figure of Hārītī — Mathura, Kushan period — 2nd–3rd century CE.
Description
India, Mathura, Kushan period, 2nd–3rd century CE.
Important Hārītī figure sculpted in the round in white marble.
The deity is represented seated on a rectangular plinth, in a relaxed pose, with legs broadly bent. Both hands are joined in front of the chest in añjali mudrā, a gesture of respect and devotion.
The face, full and harmoniously modelled, features almond-shaped eyes, gentle features and a subtle smile. The head is topped with a high coiffure, while the long hair flows down the back. The garment, treated with sobriety, crosses the torso and falls in broad folds over the legs.
The sculpture is distinguished by the power of its volumes, the frontal nature of the composition, and the generous modelling of the body, characteristics of the sculptural vocabulary developed in northern India during the Kushan period.
Hārītī holds an important place in early Buddhist iconography. Initially tied to the world of yakṣa and yakṣi, she becomes a protective deity associated with motherhood, fertility, abundance and the protection of children. Her cult developed particularly within the great artistic centers of northern India during the early centuries of our era.
A small figure of a child seems to have originally been part of the composition and is now lost, which explains some gaps visible in the lower part.
The sculpture retains an especially expressive ancient surface, with natural wear, deposits and inlays that emphasize the volumes and testify to its history.
Provenance
French private collection, formed between about 1980 and 2012.
Then by lineage.
European private collection.
Dimensions
Height: 29.5 cm
Width: 9 cm
Depth: 18 cm
Weight: 6.396 kg
Condition
Good overall condition considering its age.
Significant surface wear compatible with age, erosion, abrasions, small losses, deposits and inlays. Some residual traces of old coating or pigment are visible. Missing parts in the lower part of the composition and on certain edges of the base.
A small figure of a child belonging most likely to the original composition is currently lost.
The numerous high-resolution photographs as well as the video allow for precise examination of the condition and are an integral part of the description.
dvideo link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/mptmv2mgobux82jb02gka/ANzvw568Z57IHn-m0y50sgI?rlkey=0ung9gpsjcqyhia7ud3jgdsgx&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
India – Mathura – Kushan period
Century/timeframe
Ier–IIe siècle apr. J.-C.
Name of object
Figure of Hariti in white marble
Acquired from
Gallery / Antique dealer
Year acquired
1980
Material
Terracotta
Country acquired from
France
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Height
29.7 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
1980
Width
18 cm
Previous owner - country acquired from
France
Depth
9 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.
