{"product_id":"ancient-indian-terracotta-feline-plaque","title":"Ancient Indian Moulded Terracotta Feline Plaque | 1st Century BCE–2nd Century CE","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical Context \u0026amp; Origin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e India, possibly Northern or Eastern India \/ Bengal\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moulded terracotta\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/strong\u003e Early Historic India, circa 1st Century BCE–2nd Century CE, Shunga to Kushana periods\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDescription\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn evocative ancient Indian mould-made terracotta plaque depicting a large feline, possibly a leopard, shown in profile facing right across a rectangular field.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe animal is rendered in raised relief with a substantial body, prominent legs, rounded head, and an elongated tail curling upward toward the rear. Numerous raised and impressed markings articulate the surface of the body and may have been intended to suggest a spotted coat. Although considerable age-related wear has softened some of the finer details, the overall feline form remains readily recognizable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA perforation near the upper edge is consistent with suspension holes found on other early Indian moulded terracotta plaques. Such openings may have allowed plaques to be hung for display or devotional use, although the precise original function of the present example cannot be established with certainty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reddish terracotta body displays a deeply aged surface with darker deposits, abrasion, and areas where wear has exposed the underlying salmon-pink ceramic fabric. The reverse is comparatively flat and retains remnants of an old paper collection or inventory label, reflecting the object's later history as a collected antiquity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe form, mould-made construction, suspension perforation, and overall visual character are consistent with the prolific terracotta traditions of Early Historic India. Important production centres at sites such as Chandraketugarh in Bengal and Kausambi in present-day Uttar Pradesh produced moulded plaques depicting animals, riders, deities, mythological subjects, and scenes from everyday life during the Shunga and Kushana periods. While these traditions provide useful comparisons, the precise production centre of the present plaque cannot presently be determined.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeatures\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Depicts a large feline, possibly a leopard\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Animal shown in raised profile relief facing right\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Elongated curling tail\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Raised and impressed surface markings possibly suggesting a spotted coat\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Rectangular plaque with softly rounded corners\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Perforation near the upper edge consistent with suspension\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Comparatively flat reverse typical of mould-made plaque construction\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Reddish to salmon-pink terracotta ceramic body\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Extensive historic surface patination and deposits\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Visible wear and losses revealing the underlying ceramic fabric\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Remnants of an old collection or inventory label on the reverse\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Form consistent with Early Historic Indian terracotta traditions\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCultural Significance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTerracotta was one of the most widely used artistic media of Early Historic India. Mould-made production allowed images of animals, deities, riders, musicians, mythological figures, and everyday subjects to be reproduced efficiently while retaining considerable sculptural detail.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring the Shunga and Kushana periods, major centres of terracotta production developed across northern and eastern India. Chandraketugarh in Bengal and Kausambi in present-day Uttar Pradesh are particularly well known for moulded plaques and figurative terracottas representing a wide range of secular, narrative, and religious subjects.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLarge felines appear in various contexts within early Indian art and may carry different symbolic or narrative meanings depending on the composition. On the present plaque, the repeated markings across the animal's body suggest that a spotted feline may have been intended, making a leopard a plausible identification, although the worn condition of the relief prevents a more definitive species attribution.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe perforation near the upper edge suggests that the plaque may have been intended for suspension. Similar holes are documented on other early Indian terracotta plaques and have been interpreted as allowing objects to be hung within domestic, decorative, or possibly devotional settings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAncient condition with substantial wear consistent with considerable age and archaeological character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe plaque exhibits surface abrasion, weathering, encrustation, pitting, edge losses, minor chips, and areas where the darker surface has worn away to expose the reddish-pink terracotta body beneath. A significant old vertical crack extends upward from the lower edge through the central portion of the plaque. Additional minor firing and age-related imperfections are visible throughout.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe relief has experienced notable surface loss, particularly around the head and portions of the animal's body, although the overall composition remains legible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn old paper or adhesive label remnant survives on the reverse and has been left undisturbed as part of the object's collection history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions (Approximate)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLength: 4 in\u003cbr\u003eHeight: 2.4 in\u003cbr\u003eDepth: 0.6 in\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAge (Approximate)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1,800–2,100 years old\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrivate collection, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Subsequently handled by A.H. Wilkens Auctions \u0026amp; Appraisals, Toronto, Ontario.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFounded in 2009, A.H. Wilkens is a well-established Canadian auction house specializing in fine art, decorative arts, Asian antiques, and estate collections. The firm operates from its Toronto gallery and serves both Canadian and international collectors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLearn More\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eView a related Shunga-period terracotta plaque from Chandraketugarh in the collection of \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.metmuseum.org\/art\/collection\/search\/38575\" title=\"Shunga Terracotta Plaque – The Metropolitan Museum of Art\"\u003eThe Metropolitan Museum of Art\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBrowse our \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/collections\/ceramics-pottery-ancient-heritage-art\" title=\"Ceramics and Pottery: Ancient Heritage Art – Relic \u0026amp; Rarity\"\u003eCollection of Ceramics \u0026amp; Pottery: Ancient Heritage Art\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Relic \u0026 Rarity","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56180031521090,"sku":null,"price":750.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/1803\/2194\/files\/First_photo_design_83.jpg?v=1789579171","url":"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/products\/ancient-indian-terracotta-feline-plaque","provider":"Relic \u0026 Rarity","version":"1.0","type":"link"}