A CHAM REPOUSSÉ GOLD PENDANT WITH STONE INTAGLIO... Lot n° 9

Central Cham kingdom, early classical period, 9th – 10th century. The intaglio dates to the late 19th or early 20th 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 the collection of Dr. Istvan Zelnik, Hungary. Dr. Zelnik has built one of the most fascinating and vast collections of South East Asian artworks during the past 4 decades. His collection is considered one of the three most important published collections in the world and he is the director of the Hungarian South and Southeast Asian Research Institute. An official attest by the Hungarian South and Southeast Asian Research Institute signed by Dr. Zelnik can be provided to the high bidder upon request after payment for the object has been made in full. A private owner, acquired from the above several years ago. 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 o