Indian Chandraketugarh Pottery Jar w/ Procession & TL

Indian Chandraketugarh Pottery Jar w/ Procession & TL:

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.