North India – the Ganges valley

Beautiful molded terracotta votive plaque, most likely depicting Kubera, the god of wealth and lord of the Yakshas, originating from northern India and attributed to the Kushan period, 1st–2nd century AD. The deity is depicted seated, facing forward, with a markedly developed belly, characteristic of Kubera’s iconography. In the right hand he holds a cup or a receptacle, while the left hand rests on a volume interpreted as a pouch or bag of wealth. This combination of attributes, along with the figure’s corpulence and the richness of his ornaments, closely links the plaque to older representations of Kubera and the abundance Yakshas known from the Ganges valley. The figure is richly adorned with necklaces, bracelets and body ornaments. The frontal treatment, high-relief composition, and the large radiating halo give the piece a particularly decorative presence. The plaque was made by mould casting, a technique widely used in the major centres of terracotta production in northern India during the early centuries of our era. Important – Thermoluminescence (TL): no thermoluminescence analysis has been conducted on this piece. Attributions and dating proposed are based on the material examination and macroscopic study of the object, the study of its fabrication technique and surfaces, and comparison with available archaeological, museological and scientific corpora. Condition: losses and ancient breaks in the upper part, notably around the halo, as well as a small more recent flake along the upper edge. Uniform surface wear consistent with the age of the piece. No visible structural restoration. Mounted on a modern plinth. Dimensions (excluding plinth): 19 × 12 × 3 cm. Height with plinth: 19.5 cm. Weight with plinth: 665 g. Provenance: former Belgian private collection, acquired between 1979 and 2009, then inherited through descendants. video link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/vav5x1vtkoqecueie6d2m/AIJGxjmY5QkchB74JDzN5gQ?rlkey=53ubmu1jxm8sktvelv3azwt7z&dl=0

Estimate:£674.55

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