Northern India – ancient Bengal

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

Estimate:£192.14

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