A CHAM REPOUSSé GOLD PENDANT WITH STONE INTAGLIO DEPICTING SHIVA
Central Cham kingdom, early classical period, 9th – 10th century. The front of the gold pendant shows an intaglio cut into red carnelian depicting Shiva, the Cham people’s most venerated deity, with decorations executed in repoussé, including Shiva’s mount Nandi underneath the central stone, as well as three inlaid gemstones above. The gold back of the pendant again shows Shiva with Nandi, the holy white bull.
Provenance: From an important European private collection. Acquired in Asia between 1960 and 1970. A private owner, acquired from the above.
Condition: Excellent condition with expected traces of age and wear as well as soil encrustation and patina.
Weight: 9.5 g
Dimensions: Height 5.5 cm, Width 3.5 cm
Metallurgic analysis: Fine gold content 666/1000
Literature comparison: Very similar intaglio pendants are published in Gold Treasures of the Cham Kingdoms from the Collection of Dr. Zelnik Volume 1, nos. 77, 78, 80, 81 (pages 112-113), Budapest 2007.
Metallurgic Analysis
The data from the metallurgic analysis posted in the catalogue entry for each lot in this auction relates to the proportion of fine gold contained in the gold alloy only. It does
not relate to the gross weight of the lot, as the gross weight typically consists of the weight of the gold alloy and the weight of other materials added to the lot such as gemstones, soil encrustations, casting cores or other metals processed within the lot.