Ancient India – Western Bengal, Chandraketugarh tradition Terracotta Rare terracotta plaque with a female deity and attendants – Chandraketugarh tradition. - 8.5 cm
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€ 20
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 600 - € 750
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A uniface moulded ceramic plaque depicting a richly adorned female figure with attendants, attributed to Chandraketugarh in western Bengal from the post-Maurya/Śuṅga period (2nd–1st century BCE), measuring 8.5 × 6 × 0.6 cm (excluding base) with a matching base of 7 × 4.5 cm and a total height of 12.5 cm, acquired in 2025 from a Belgian private collection and authenticated as original.
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Description from the seller
Very beautiful molded terracotta plaque depicting a richly adorned female figure, probably of the Yakṣī type or a deity, surrounded by several attendants. The composition belongs to the remarkable figurative repertoire of ancient India and shows strong affinities with the productions of Chandraketugarh in western Bengal, during the post-Maurya / Śuṅga period.
The main figure, shown facing the viewer, is adorned with numerous jewelry, large ear ornaments, and an important pectoral ornament. Around her are several secondary figures arranged at different levels, some of whom seem to wear or bear ceremonial attributes or offerings.
This hierarchical and particularly dense arrangement gives the scene a true narrative and cultic character.
The relief retains remarkable legibility despite the fragmentary nature of the plaque: the faces, the jewelry, the clothing, the various figures, as well as the upper and lower decorative bands, remain very clearly perceptible. The richness of the composition and the multiplication of the small figures give this piece a strong presence despite its small format.
The plaque was produced by uniface molding. The reverse is left undecorated and shows irregular manual smoothing characteristic of this type of manufacture. The thin thickness of only 0.6 cm is particularly interesting and attests to a technically proficient production.
The work is attributed to eastern India, western Bengal, Chandraketugarh tradition, and stylistically dated to the post-Maurya / Śuṅga period, probably 2nd–1st century BCE, with possible continuity into the early 1st century CE.
Condition: good relative condition for an archaeological terracotta of this age. Old lateral losses and natural surface wear. The central scene remains exceptionally legible. No major restoration visible. Modern metal plinth included.
Provenance: former Belgian private collection, then transmitted within the family.
Important — scientific analyses: no thermoluminescence (TL) analysis nor PN analysis has been performed. Given the nature and reasonable value of the object, this choice follows a principle of proportionality and avoids invasive sampling. The attribution, dating and the favorable assessment of antiquity rest on physical and macroscopic examination, the study of the manufacturing technique and surfaces, and comparison with available archaeological, museum and scientific corpora.
Dimensions excluding the plinth: 8.5 × 6 × 0.6 cm.
Height with plinth: 12.5 cm.
Plinth dimensions: 7 × 4.5 cm.
Weight excluding the plinth: 100 g.
video link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/5ksec6d96ab2f6ao8amwp/AN6rvQV7HTvbmbRUPZaR0YY?rlkey=dun91rx9ok3hyiob9fkjhm407&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 TranslateVery beautiful molded terracotta plaque depicting a richly adorned female figure, probably of the Yakṣī type or a deity, surrounded by several attendants. The composition belongs to the remarkable figurative repertoire of ancient India and shows strong affinities with the productions of Chandraketugarh in western Bengal, during the post-Maurya / Śuṅga period.
The main figure, shown facing the viewer, is adorned with numerous jewelry, large ear ornaments, and an important pectoral ornament. Around her are several secondary figures arranged at different levels, some of whom seem to wear or bear ceremonial attributes or offerings.
This hierarchical and particularly dense arrangement gives the scene a true narrative and cultic character.
The relief retains remarkable legibility despite the fragmentary nature of the plaque: the faces, the jewelry, the clothing, the various figures, as well as the upper and lower decorative bands, remain very clearly perceptible. The richness of the composition and the multiplication of the small figures give this piece a strong presence despite its small format.
The plaque was produced by uniface molding. The reverse is left undecorated and shows irregular manual smoothing characteristic of this type of manufacture. The thin thickness of only 0.6 cm is particularly interesting and attests to a technically proficient production.
The work is attributed to eastern India, western Bengal, Chandraketugarh tradition, and stylistically dated to the post-Maurya / Śuṅga period, probably 2nd–1st century BCE, with possible continuity into the early 1st century CE.
Condition: good relative condition for an archaeological terracotta of this age. Old lateral losses and natural surface wear. The central scene remains exceptionally legible. No major restoration visible. Modern metal plinth included.
Provenance: former Belgian private collection, then transmitted within the family.
Important — scientific analyses: no thermoluminescence (TL) analysis nor PN analysis has been performed. Given the nature and reasonable value of the object, this choice follows a principle of proportionality and avoids invasive sampling. The attribution, dating and the favorable assessment of antiquity rest on physical and macroscopic examination, the study of the manufacturing technique and surfaces, and comparison with available archaeological, museum and scientific corpora.
Dimensions excluding the plinth: 8.5 × 6 × 0.6 cm.
Height with plinth: 12.5 cm.
Plinth dimensions: 7 × 4.5 cm.
Weight excluding the plinth: 100 g.
video link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/5ksec6d96ab2f6ao8amwp/AN6rvQV7HTvbmbRUPZaR0YY?rlkey=dun91rx9ok3hyiob9fkjhm407&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
Ancient India – Western Bengal, Chandraketugarh tradition
Century/timeframe
IIe–Ier siècle av. J.-C. | Période post-maurya / Śuṅga
Name of object
Rare terracotta plaque with a female deity and attendants – Chandraketugarh tradition.
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2025
Material
Terracotta
Country acquired from
Belgium
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Gallery / Antique dealer
Height
8.5 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
1979
Width
6 cm
Previous owner - country acquired from
Belgium
Depth
0.6 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.
