India, Bengal, Chandraketugarh. The terracotta fragment is of slightly tapering cylindrical form, most likely being the end of the shoulder and the beginning of the neck from an originally larger vase, with three registers depicting explicit erotic scenes of male and female figures, wearing elaborate headdresses richly adorned in beaded jewelry, all engaged in amorous pursuits.Provenance: French private collection. Condition: Absolutely original condition with extensive wear, losses as seen on images, a small segment to the lower end (ca. 2 x 4 cm) has been reattached.Scientific Analysis Report: A thermoluminescence sample analysis has been conducted by QED Laboratoire, Reference QED1645/FI-0201, dated 30 November 2016, and is consistent with the suggested period of manufacture. A copy of the thermoluminescence analysis report accompanies this lot.Weight: 649.4 gDimensions: Height 25.5 cmChandraketugarh is an archaeological site located beside the Bidyadhari river, about 35 kilometers northeast of Kolkata. Excavation between 1957 and 1968 (conducted by the Asutosh Museum of Indian Art) revealed relics of several historical periods, although the chronological classification of the relics remains incomplete. According to some historians, the Chandraketugarh site and surrounding area could be the place known to ancient Greek and Roman writers as having the same name as the river Ganges, sometimes referred to as Gangaridai.