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an image of a bronze statue of a man on a wooden basea close up of a metal object on a wooden standa bronze statue of a man ' s head on a wooden basebronze sculpture of a bird on a stand on a white backgrounda bronze sculpture of a head on a wooden base
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658 - Ganges Copper Deposits Culture (Uttar Pradesh, India) – Ritu…
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Estimate €1,800 - €3,000
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Description
Ganges Copper Deposits Culture (Uttar Pradesh, India) – Ritual anthropomorphic figure, Bronze Age, 2nd millennium BC (c. 1500–1000 BC) Cast and hammered copper. Dimensions: 22 x 26 x 0.5 cm. An interesting and exceptional anthropomorphic figure belonging to the so-called Copper Hoard Culture of northern India, which flourished in the Indo-Gangetic Plain during the 2nd millennium BCE. The piece exhibits the characteristic schematic silhouette that has made these artefacts one of the most enigmatic archaeological assemblages of Indian protohistory. It is made of copper using a mould-casting process followed by hammering, preserving an attractive archaeological patina of green and brown tones resulting from prolonged burial. The figure takes a highly stylised form comprising a semicircular head, broad arms curved downwards, and splayed legs, creating an image of great visual impact and striking formal modernity. These types of representations constitute some of the oldest known metal ritual objects on the Indian subcontinent and appear to be associated with the famous copper deposits found primarily in Uttar Pradesh, where numerous examples were recovered in contexts near rivers, lagoons and marshy areas, suggesting deliberate deposition for ceremonial or votive purposes. Their exact function remains a subject of debate amongst specialists. Some researchers have proposed a religious interpretation linked to archaic sacred symbols associated with the srivatsa, an attribute later associated with Vishnu and Lakshmi, whilst other authors consider them possible precursors of the vajra symbol or even representations of protective spirits and ritual guardians. The relative softness of pure copper and the scant evidence of wear observed in most of the known examples reinforce the hypothesis of a ceremonial rather than utilitarian use. This figure bears close parallels to examples held in major international institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the ...
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About the sale GRAND SUMMER AUCTION OF HAUTE ÉPOQUE AND PRIVATE COLLECTIONS
Auction location
Auction time 06/29/2026 at 4:00 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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