Ganges Copper Deposits Culture (Uttar Pradesh, India)

lotto/ganges copper deposits culture uttar pradesh india ritual anthropomorphic bYQDufw 632857871 / In vendita

lotto/ganges copper deposits culture uttar pradesh india ritual anthropomorphic bYQDufw 632857871

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lotto/ganges copper deposits culture uttar pradesh india ritual anthropomorphic bYQDufw 632857871

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Ganges Copper Deposits Culture (Uttar Pradesh, India) - Ritual anthropomorphic

Descriptio 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 artifacts one of the most enigmatic archaeological assemblages of Indian protohistory. It is made of copper using a mold casting process and subsequent hammering, preserving an attractive archaeological patina of green and brown tones resulting from prolonged burial. The figure adopts a highly stylized form composed of a semicircular head, broad arms curved downwards, and open 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 in the Indian subcontinent and appear 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 among specialists. Some researchers have proposed a religious interpretation linked to archaic sacred symbols related to the srivatsa, an attribute later associated with Vishnu and Lakshmi, while 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 Cleveland Museum of Art, the Allahabad Museum, and the Lucknow State Museum, all belonging to the same cultural tradition. Its abstract language, characterized by the extreme simplification of human anatomy, constitutes one of the most unique artistic expressions of the Indian Bronze Age and testifies to the high level of metallurgical development achieved by the communities of the Ganges Plain during this period. Provenance: European private collection acquired before 1960 and passed down through descendants; German private collection formed in the 1970s; LK collection, London, acquired in Germany in the 1970s and held until 2010; subsequently acquired on the London art market in 2023. Lot in international warehouse (within the EU). Intra-EU shipping: no import duties apply within the EU.An export permit from the country of origin may be required.

Stima:€6,000

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