Northern India – ancient Bengal

Set of four circular votive terracotta medallions, moulded, Northern India, ancient Bengal, Chandraketugarh type, Shunga / Early Historic period, 2nd–1st century BCE. This particularly decorative set brings together four small terracotta medallions belonging to the same production tradition in ancient Bengal. Each features a circular composition organized around a protruding central knob, surrounded by a moulded radiating pattern in a field slightly inset, itself framed by a broad rounded rim. The four pieces are very close in overall design, while showing variations in diameter, thickness, and motif. These differences indicate that they are not strict identical repetitions, but variants within the same typological family. The decoration, narrative and symbolic in character, combines several zoomorphic and vegetal motifs. On the best-preserved specimens, one can notably discern animal silhouettes in profile, a large long-necked bird, and an upright vegetal motif. The radial arrangement around a strongly marked center gives the whole a visual structure close to a symbolic wheel, without requiring formal identification of each motif. Because of their small format, their moulded technique, their dense iconography and their circular organization, these medallions connect to the broad corpus of ancient Bengal and Chandraketugarh terracottas, generally dated to the Early Historic period. The reference to the Shunga period should here be understood as a chronological and cultural designation rather than a strict dynastic attribution. The surfaces show a pink-beige to light brown patina, with slight chromatic variations, ancient abrasions and progressive wear of the reliefs. The projecting parts are irregularly softened, which remains coherent with ancient handling and a probable votive or devotional function. The backs are plainer and show a manual finish, with the normal irregularities of an ancient terracotta production. The four pieces are today gathered on a modern metal base, forming a very balanced presentation and particularly aesthetic. Individual dimensions: Ø 4.4 cm × thickness 1.1 cm; Ø 5 cm × thickness 1.5 cm; Ø 5 cm × thickness 1.6 cm; Ø 4.5 cm × thickness 1.5 cm. Individual weights: 20.3 g; 33 g; 30.4 g; 26.4 g. Total weight of the four medallions: 110.1 g. Dimensions including the base: H. 13 cm × L. 15 cm × D. 4.6 cm. Total weight including the base: 345.6 g. Provenance: private Belgian collection, assembled between 1979 and 2009. A coherent and attractive ensemble of four ancient Bengal terracottas, presented on a modern base specially made to highlight their rhythm, their decorative variations and their remarkable stylistic unity. video link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/yemonhfmtw5jo889sriay/ACGhd-3-cj6RddlffEvJaK8?rlkey=3hnp4gkdv42tn6j2ei9ik6pbg&dl=0

Schätzpreis:€450

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