Northern India – ancient Bengal

Pair of circular votive terracotta medallions, molded, attributed to ancient Bengal, in the Chandraketugarh tradition, Shunga / Early Historic period, around the 2nd–1st centuries BCE. The two pieces feature a circular composition organized around a protruding central boss. The decoration develops radially and combines vegetal motifs with animal representations, characteristic of the decorative vocabulary of the small molded terracottas from ancient India. The two medallions belong to the same stylistic and technical tradition but show slight differences in design and modeling, likely corresponding to mold variants or separate impressions within the same production. The reliefs retain good legibility and show gentle, progressive wear on the protruding parts, compatible with ancient handling repeated over time. In the context of a probable votive function, this abrasion can be interpreted as compatible with prolonged votive use or rubbing. The reverses are particularly interesting and show traces of manual shaping and finishing, including smoothing striations and directional retouches. The terracotta has pink-beige tones with more pronounced brownish areas on one of the two pieces. Dimensions: diameter 5 cm; thickness 1.5 cm each. Weight: 34.6 g and 34.2 g. Total height with base: 12.8 cm. Base of the base: 5 × 4 cm. Total weight with base: 169.1 g. Provenance: former private Belgian collection, assembled between 1979 and 2009. The two medallions are presented on a modern bespoke metal base, included in the sale. The attribution rests on material, stylistic, and comparative examination with published corpora of Bengal ancient terracottas and Chandraketugarh. No thermoluminescence analysis has been performed, as it was not deemed proportional to the value of the lot. A Mimosa SA certificate of study and authenticity accompanies the lot. video link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/p2cvcjuwwbfxxs4a6rdsx/AHyhQpvhQFXXhpMOe5TrRcM?rlkey=gktihchg5knuci0s350uxxmgp&dl=0

Estimate:$254.85

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