Northern India – ancient Bengal, Chandraketugarh type Terracotta Set of three votive medallions - 14 cm
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
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A set of three circular votive terracotta medallions from North India, ancient Bengal in the Chandraketugarh style, dating to the Shunga period (2nd–1st century BCE), mounted on a modern metal display base and coming from a private Belgian collection with original authenticity.
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Description from the seller
Set of three votive circular terracotta medallions, molded, North India, ancient Bengal, Chandraketugarh type, Shunga / Early Historic period, 2nd–1st century BCE.
Beautiful set of three ancient terracotta medallions, gathered on a modern metal base specially designed for their display.
Each piece features a characteristic construction: a wide rounded circular rim, a slightly recessed central field and a protruding central knob, around which a radially arranged molded decoration is organized.
The three pieces clearly belong to the same production tradition, while showing slight differences in diameter, thickness, relief and design. They are therefore not simple repetitions of the same mold, but variants belonging to the same typological family.
The decoration combines several zoomorphic, vegetal and probably anthropomorphic motifs, distributed in sectors around the center. Notably different animal silhouettes as well as vegetal elements are discernible. The radiating construction around the central knob gives each composition a strong graphic quality, evoking a symbolic wheel without it being necessary to interpret this organization as an absolute iconographic identification.
Due to their small size, molded technique, morphology and decorative vocabulary, these medallions belong to the corpus of ancient Bengal and Chandraketugarh terracotta works, traditionally placed in the Early Historic / Shunga period, around the 2nd–1st centuries BCE.
The surfaces display beautiful tones ranging from pink-beige to gray-brown, with several darker areas on the rims and reverse sides. These variations give each of the three pieces a slightly different appearance while maintaining a strong overall unity.
The reliefs remain legible despite old and progressive wear of the salient parts. Small abrasions and peripheral nicks, a few micro-scratches and various old linear traces on the reverse are noted. One medallion shows a radial crack localized at the lower rim, without visible delamination. No major structural damage observed.
The reverses, plainer, show manual finishing and color variations ranging from beige to dark gray-brown. The perforations seen correspond to mounting on the modern base.
Dimensions without base:
Medallion 1: Ø 4.5 cm × thickness 1.5 cm
Medallion 2: Ø 4.9 cm × thickness 1.8 cm
Medallion 3: Ø 4.6 cm × thickness 1.4 cm
Individual weights: 30.3 g; 35 g; 27.3 g.
Total weight without base: 92.6 g.
Dimensions with base: H. 14 cm × L. 10.5 cm × P. 6 cm.
Total weight with base: 350.1 g.
Provenance: private Belgian collection, formed between 1979 and 2009.
A particularly harmonious trio of ancient Bengal terracotta pieces, whose common mounting immediately allows appreciating the variations in relief, patina and size of each medallion.
video link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/y4ocd89ksfvkusbb08b84/AGAqZlA5DNyCG5n-Ej8Kj98?rlkey=sop1w3oj0bjqvtubhauohu3d9&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 TranslateSet of three votive circular terracotta medallions, molded, North India, ancient Bengal, Chandraketugarh type, Shunga / Early Historic period, 2nd–1st century BCE.
Beautiful set of three ancient terracotta medallions, gathered on a modern metal base specially designed for their display.
Each piece features a characteristic construction: a wide rounded circular rim, a slightly recessed central field and a protruding central knob, around which a radially arranged molded decoration is organized.
The three pieces clearly belong to the same production tradition, while showing slight differences in diameter, thickness, relief and design. They are therefore not simple repetitions of the same mold, but variants belonging to the same typological family.
The decoration combines several zoomorphic, vegetal and probably anthropomorphic motifs, distributed in sectors around the center. Notably different animal silhouettes as well as vegetal elements are discernible. The radiating construction around the central knob gives each composition a strong graphic quality, evoking a symbolic wheel without it being necessary to interpret this organization as an absolute iconographic identification.
Due to their small size, molded technique, morphology and decorative vocabulary, these medallions belong to the corpus of ancient Bengal and Chandraketugarh terracotta works, traditionally placed in the Early Historic / Shunga period, around the 2nd–1st centuries BCE.
The surfaces display beautiful tones ranging from pink-beige to gray-brown, with several darker areas on the rims and reverse sides. These variations give each of the three pieces a slightly different appearance while maintaining a strong overall unity.
The reliefs remain legible despite old and progressive wear of the salient parts. Small abrasions and peripheral nicks, a few micro-scratches and various old linear traces on the reverse are noted. One medallion shows a radial crack localized at the lower rim, without visible delamination. No major structural damage observed.
The reverses, plainer, show manual finishing and color variations ranging from beige to dark gray-brown. The perforations seen correspond to mounting on the modern base.
Dimensions without base:
Medallion 1: Ø 4.5 cm × thickness 1.5 cm
Medallion 2: Ø 4.9 cm × thickness 1.8 cm
Medallion 3: Ø 4.6 cm × thickness 1.4 cm
Individual weights: 30.3 g; 35 g; 27.3 g.
Total weight without base: 92.6 g.
Dimensions with base: H. 14 cm × L. 10.5 cm × P. 6 cm.
Total weight with base: 350.1 g.
Provenance: private Belgian collection, formed between 1979 and 2009.
A particularly harmonious trio of ancient Bengal terracotta pieces, whose common mounting immediately allows appreciating the variations in relief, patina and size of each medallion.
video link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/y4ocd89ksfvkusbb08b84/AGAqZlA5DNyCG5n-Ej8Kj98?rlkey=sop1w3oj0bjqvtubhauohu3d9&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
Set of three votive medallions
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
14 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
1979
Width
10.5 cm
Previous owner - country acquired from
Belgium
Depth
6 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.
