Indian Chandraketugarh Pottery Vessel, TL Tested

South Asia, eastern India, Bengal, Chandraketugarh, ca. 2nd century BCE to 1st century CE. A marvelous mold-made pottery jar intricately decorated with the frieze of a procession. Sitting upon a round base, the vessel's conical body features the relief of several bare-breasted male and female figures, all wearing thick, collar necklaces, bracelets, anklets, and lungis held at their waists by broad belts. The crowd is vast, with several heads and torsos of figures depicted in the background and lush trees and flowers scattered throughout. All are positioned in dramatic poses as though dancing or celebrating, while many hold various objects, such as musical horns, palm fans, spears, bows, and arrows. A deer, a dog, a child, and even an elephant are all participants in this joyous occasion. A register of several makaras - half-elephant, half-crocodilian sea creatures used as a vehicle for the gods (or "vahana") to travel over large bodies of water - decorates the area below the celebration. Meanwhile, the corseted neck of the vessel is adorned by a gorgeous phytomorphic motif of abundant lotus flowers and the elegantly flared, annular rim showcases a band of seated birds, each carrying a branch in its beak. Size: 5.25" in diameter x 7.25" H (13.3 cm x 18.4 cm)

This piece has been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) analysis and has been found to be ancient and of the period stated. A full report will accompany purchase.

This piece has been searched against the Art Loss Register database and has been cleared. The Art Loss Register maintains the world’s largest database of stolen art, collectibles, and antiques.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-private Ibrahimi collection, California, USA, 2002

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#163477
Condition Report: TL holes to base and underside of rim. Some losses to periphery of rim. Top half has been repaired from several pieces with restoration over break lines. Some nicks, minor chips, and abrasions, all commensurate with age. Otherwise, excellent.