† A VERY LARGE AND IMPORTANT CHANDRAKETUGARH POTTERY VESSEL, 2ND-1ST CENTURY BC
Lot 203 - FAS1025

Scientific Analysis Report: A thermoluminescence analysis report issued by Oxford Authentication on 17 August 2004, based on sample number N104r96, sets the firing date of the sample taken between 1500 and 2400 years ago, consistent with the dating above. A copy of the report accompanies this lot.

India, West Bengal. Of ovoid form, supported on a stepped waisted foot and surmounted by a waisted neck with flaring rim, decorated in relief with four registers depicting finely carved figures in a procession walking through hutments, some atop elephants, others carrying flowers, fly whisks, and parasols, and still others beating drums, all enclosed within beaded borders, and with an exuberant floral band above the foot.

Provenance: John Eskenazi, London, 2007. An important private collection, acquired from the above. A copy of the purchase invoice, dated 14 March 2007, confirming the dating above, and stating a purchase price for the present lot of USD 95,000 or approx. EUR 129,000 (converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing), accompanies this lot. John Eskenazi is one of the most internationally respected dealers in Indian, Gandharan, Himalayan and Southeast Asian works of art. He is also a specialist in collectors' carpets and textiles. The Eskenazi name has been associated with Oriental art since 1925. John Eskenazi joined his father's business in Milan in 1977 after studying History of Art, and stage design. In the mid-1990s he further developed the company, opening a gallery in Old Bond Street, London where his reputation as a leading expert in Asian Art was consolidated. In 1997 he was instrumental in co-founding Asian Art in London and in 2004, London Sculpture Week. He has also been a prominent exhibitor at The International Asian Art Fair in New York and at TEFAF Maastricht. He is also a founder partner of The Art Newspaper. John Eskenazi continues to expand his internationally recognized expertise and scholarship in Asian art and culture, through extensive travel, study and research.
Condition: Very good condition, commensurate with age. Ancient wear, obvious losses with associated “museum style” restorations, minor chips and small cracks, touchups.

Weight: 2,155 g (excl. stand), 3,655 g (incl. stand)
Dimensions: Height 61 cm (excl. stand), 65 cm (incl. stand)

Mounted to a modern, rotating stand. (2)

The vase is primarily decorated with images of sophisticated women and fertility goddesses richly adorned with elaborate hairstyles, intricately patterned textiles, and an abundance of jewelry.

Chandraketugarh is an archaeological site located beside the Bidyadhari river, about 35 kilometers northeast of Kolkata. Excavation between 1957 and 1968 (conducted by the Asutosh Museum of Indian Art) revealed relics of several historical periods, although the chronological classification of the relics remains incomplete. According to some historians, the Chandraketugarh site and surrounding area could be the place known to ancient Greek and Roman writers as having the same name as the river Ganges, sometimes referred to as Gangaridai.

This ancient capital and important urban center has yielded a wealth of artistically accomplished pottery of diverse object types and ceramic wares. Buff-colored low-fired earthenware was prevalent. Numerous sculptures, relief plaques, and ornate vases were produced. They are decorated primarily with images of sophisticated women and fertility goddesses richly adorned with elaborate hairstyles, intricately patterned textiles, and an abundance of jewelry.

Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related Chandraketugarh terracotta vase with figural decoration, dated to the 2nd-1st century BC, 74.3 cm high, in the Nelson Atkins Museum, object number 2009.54. Compare a closely related Chandraketugarh pottery vase with figural decoration, dated 2nd-1st century BC, 64 cm high, in the Toledo Museum of Art, object number 2008.139. Compare a related smaller vase with similar flowers and processional scenes, dated circa 100 BC, 26 cm high, in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, accession number M.2005.155.