Description TWO CHAM GOLD REPOUSSé VOTIVE PLAQUES DEPICTING ELEPHANTS
Champa, 8th-10th century. The gold plaques of rectangular form, each executed in fine repoussé depicting a standing elephant with distinctive features, such as the large ears, long trunk, and curved tusks, and with the tail raised high, as well as embossed with Sanskrit or old Cham characters. Each plaque pierced with small holes in all four corners for attachment.
Provenance: Ex-Collection of The Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum. Institutional art collection in Belgium, acquired from the above.
Condition: Very good condition with minor traces of age and wear as well as soil encrustations.
Weight: 5.0 g
Dimensions: Size 5.2 x 4.1 cm and 5 x 3.7 cm
Alloy composition range: Gold 64-72 %, Silver 24-28 %, Copper 2-4 %.
Literature comparison: A similar piece is published in The Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum, page 184, Budapest 2013. Two related plaques are also in the National Museum of Cambodia, inventory numbers NMC.325 and NMC.323.