Northern India, Ganges Valley; probably ancient Bengal / affinities with Chandraketugarh Terracotta Bust of a female figure, probably a Yakshi, in terracotta. - 17 cm
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 2,100 - € 2,600
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Terracotta bust of a likely Yakshi in North Indian Bengalese Shunga late period, circa 1st century BCE, with dimensions 17 × 12 × 8 cm, in good condition, acquired in 2025 from a Belgian private collection.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Important fragmentary bust of a female figure, probably a Yakṣī, in terracotta, North India, late Shunga period, probably 1st century BCE.
This sculpture stands out for its remarkable decorative richness and for the particularly elaborate treatment of the coiffure. The female face, frontal and slightly smiling, features large almond-shaped eyes, full lips, and a small circular mark applied to the center of the forehead, probably ornamental or auspicious in character.
The hairstyle is the most spectacular element of the piece. The hair, parted by a central ridge, is finely striated and framed by an imposing structure composed of large tubular and perforated circular elements, accompanied by lateral curls. This ornamental vocabulary shows important affinities with late prehistoric East Indian terracotta productions, and notably with the Chandraketugarh corpus from Bengal.
The figure bears large ear ornaments as well as a broad, striped neckpiece. The chest, strongly modeled and projecting forward, belongs to the vocabulary of female representations associated with fertility, abundance, and prosperity in ancient Indian art.
Identification as a Yakṣī is considered probable, though not demonstrable with absolute certainty due to the fragmentary nature of the sculpture. It could more broadly be a female deity or a female auspicious figure associated with abundance.
The piece is conceived in a hollow volume and not as a simple plaque. The lower opening allows observation of the internal cavity. The fabrication appears to correspond to a process combining molding, shell assembly, modeling, and manual retouching. The numerous coiffure details have been incised and pierced in the clay.
The reverse is convex and carefully smooth, while remaining less detailed than the face, suggesting a three-dimensional sculpture designed for a predominantly frontal presentation.
Stylistically, the work belongs to the late Shunga / Early Historic horizon of North India, probably around the 1st century BCE. Chandraketugarh productions provide a particularly relevant rapprochement, but no precise archaeological Provenance from this site is claimed.
The terracotta shows a red-pink to orange hue under beige to whitish deposits. Abrasion is more pronounced on the salient parts, while the hollows and perforations retain more deposits.
Condition: ancient fragment preserving the head, neck, and chest. The arms are missing and an ancient fracture runs across the lower part under the chest. Small losses and ancient abrasions, notably in the coiffure and on exposed reliefs. No major restoration, no large rejoining or obvious modern reconstruction is visible in the examined documentation. Presented on a modern metal base.
Provenance: former Belgian private collection, acquired between 1979 and 2009, then passed down in 2023.
Dimensions without base: 17 × 12 × 8 cm.
Weight: 879.6 g.
Height with base: 25 cm.
No thermoluminescence analysis has been carried out. The proposed attribution and dating rely on stylistic, iconographic, technical, material, and comparative study of the piece.
video link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/bpfx6i1501h9n0j83c1ux/APX1rJFChR5lOVEXaHNIH6o?rlkey=2i915395sqe0bx69o0dt5p81e&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 fragmentary bust of a female figure, probably a Yakṣī, in terracotta, North India, late Shunga period, probably 1st century BCE.
This sculpture stands out for its remarkable decorative richness and for the particularly elaborate treatment of the coiffure. The female face, frontal and slightly smiling, features large almond-shaped eyes, full lips, and a small circular mark applied to the center of the forehead, probably ornamental or auspicious in character.
The hairstyle is the most spectacular element of the piece. The hair, parted by a central ridge, is finely striated and framed by an imposing structure composed of large tubular and perforated circular elements, accompanied by lateral curls. This ornamental vocabulary shows important affinities with late prehistoric East Indian terracotta productions, and notably with the Chandraketugarh corpus from Bengal.
The figure bears large ear ornaments as well as a broad, striped neckpiece. The chest, strongly modeled and projecting forward, belongs to the vocabulary of female representations associated with fertility, abundance, and prosperity in ancient Indian art.
Identification as a Yakṣī is considered probable, though not demonstrable with absolute certainty due to the fragmentary nature of the sculpture. It could more broadly be a female deity or a female auspicious figure associated with abundance.
The piece is conceived in a hollow volume and not as a simple plaque. The lower opening allows observation of the internal cavity. The fabrication appears to correspond to a process combining molding, shell assembly, modeling, and manual retouching. The numerous coiffure details have been incised and pierced in the clay.
The reverse is convex and carefully smooth, while remaining less detailed than the face, suggesting a three-dimensional sculpture designed for a predominantly frontal presentation.
Stylistically, the work belongs to the late Shunga / Early Historic horizon of North India, probably around the 1st century BCE. Chandraketugarh productions provide a particularly relevant rapprochement, but no precise archaeological Provenance from this site is claimed.
The terracotta shows a red-pink to orange hue under beige to whitish deposits. Abrasion is more pronounced on the salient parts, while the hollows and perforations retain more deposits.
Condition: ancient fragment preserving the head, neck, and chest. The arms are missing and an ancient fracture runs across the lower part under the chest. Small losses and ancient abrasions, notably in the coiffure and on exposed reliefs. No major restoration, no large rejoining or obvious modern reconstruction is visible in the examined documentation. Presented on a modern metal base.
Provenance: former Belgian private collection, acquired between 1979 and 2009, then passed down in 2023.
Dimensions without base: 17 × 12 × 8 cm.
Weight: 879.6 g.
Height with base: 25 cm.
No thermoluminescence analysis has been carried out. The proposed attribution and dating rely on stylistic, iconographic, technical, material, and comparative study of the piece.
video link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/bpfx6i1501h9n0j83c1ux/APX1rJFChR5lOVEXaHNIH6o?rlkey=2i915395sqe0bx69o0dt5p81e&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, Ganges Valley; probably ancient Bengal / affinities with Chandraketugarh
Century/timeframe
Ier siècle av. J.-C. Période Shunga tardive / Early Historic
Name of object
Bust of a female figure, probably a Yakshi, in terracotta.
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2025
Material
Terracotta
Country acquired from
Belgium
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Gallery / Antique dealer
Height
17 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
1979
Width
12 cm
Previous owner - country acquired from
Belgium
Depth
8 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.
