Northern India – ancient Bengal, Chandraketugarh type Terracotta Pair of votive medallions in terracotta - 4.5 cm
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
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Estimate € 230 - € 280
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Duo of votive terracotta medallions from Chandraketugarh, North Bengal, dating to the Shunga period (2nd–1st century BCE), dimensions 5.5 cm and 4.5 cm in diameter with 1.5 cm thickness, mounted on a modern metal base and accompanied by an authenticity certificate.
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Description from the seller
Pair of votive terracotta medallions – Chandraketugarh, Shunga period – 2nd–1st century BCE.
Description Catawiki
Pair of circular votive medallions in molded terracotta, attributed to ancient Bengal, in the Chandraketugarh tradition, Shunga/Early Historic period, around the 2nd–1st centuries BCE.
The two medallions belong to the same stylistic and technical tradition, while showing different sizes and slight variations in their decoration.
Each piece is organized around a protruding central knob, with a radial composition combining vegetal motifs and animal representations. The differences visible in the drawing and modeling correspond to mold variants or to distinct copies within the same ancient production.
The relief remains clearly legible on both pieces. The raised parts show gentle, progressive wear, compatible with repeated ancient handling. In the context of a probable votive function, this abrasion can be interpreted as compatible with prolonged votive use or rubbing.
The terracotta presents pink-beige to light brown tones, with slight surface variations. The backs show signs of smoothing and manual shaping, characteristic of the traditional manufacturing method for this type of small molded terracotta objects.
The condition is good for archaeological objects of this type. A few small abrasions and peripheral irregularities are observed, as well as a localized slight edge loss on one of the medallions, with no major structural damage.
Dimensions:
Large medallion: diameter 5.5 cm
Small medallion: diameter 4.5 cm
Thickness of each piece: 1.5 cm
Total height with pedestal: 13.4 cm
Pedestal base: 5 × 4 cm
Weight:
Large medallion: 30.8 g
Small medallion: 28.9 g
Total weight excluding pedestal: 59.7 g
Total weight with pedestal: 162.8 g
Provenance: former private Belgian collection, assembled between 1979 and 2009.
Both medallions are presented on a modern bespoke metal pedestal, included in the sale.
The attribution rests on material, stylistic, and comparative examination with published corpora of ancient Bengal terracottas and Chandraketugarh. No thermoluminescence analysis has been performed, as it was not deemed proportional to the value of the lot.
A Mimosa SA study and authenticity certificate accompanies the lot.
video link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/c5ga441eb21fsg6dh5gau/APFxJFY5qIwwqvDlLb0GJw4?rlkey=3cham6ezrbcx3zczn0nix2alk&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 TranslatePair of votive terracotta medallions – Chandraketugarh, Shunga period – 2nd–1st century BCE.
Description Catawiki
Pair of circular votive medallions in molded terracotta, attributed to ancient Bengal, in the Chandraketugarh tradition, Shunga/Early Historic period, around the 2nd–1st centuries BCE.
The two medallions belong to the same stylistic and technical tradition, while showing different sizes and slight variations in their decoration.
Each piece is organized around a protruding central knob, with a radial composition combining vegetal motifs and animal representations. The differences visible in the drawing and modeling correspond to mold variants or to distinct copies within the same ancient production.
The relief remains clearly legible on both pieces. The raised parts show gentle, progressive wear, compatible with repeated ancient handling. In the context of a probable votive function, this abrasion can be interpreted as compatible with prolonged votive use or rubbing.
The terracotta presents pink-beige to light brown tones, with slight surface variations. The backs show signs of smoothing and manual shaping, characteristic of the traditional manufacturing method for this type of small molded terracotta objects.
The condition is good for archaeological objects of this type. A few small abrasions and peripheral irregularities are observed, as well as a localized slight edge loss on one of the medallions, with no major structural damage.
Dimensions:
Large medallion: diameter 5.5 cm
Small medallion: diameter 4.5 cm
Thickness of each piece: 1.5 cm
Total height with pedestal: 13.4 cm
Pedestal base: 5 × 4 cm
Weight:
Large medallion: 30.8 g
Small medallion: 28.9 g
Total weight excluding pedestal: 59.7 g
Total weight with pedestal: 162.8 g
Provenance: former private Belgian collection, assembled between 1979 and 2009.
Both medallions are presented on a modern bespoke metal pedestal, included in the sale.
The attribution rests on material, stylistic, and comparative examination with published corpora of ancient Bengal terracottas and Chandraketugarh. No thermoluminescence analysis has been performed, as it was not deemed proportional to the value of the lot.
A Mimosa SA study and authenticity certificate accompanies the lot.
video link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/c5ga441eb21fsg6dh5gau/APFxJFY5qIwwqvDlLb0GJw4?rlkey=3cham6ezrbcx3zczn0nix2alk&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
Northern India – ancient Bengal, Chandraketugarh type
Century/timeframe
IIe–Ier siècle av. J.-C. – période Shunga
Name of object
Pair of votive medallions in terracotta
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
4.5 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
1979
Width
4.5 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.
