Central Asia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Northern India, Gandhara, ca. 3rd to 7th century CE. A collection of pottery molds to impress decorative features into clay vessels, votive tablets, or statues, consisting of 2 near-complete molds and 3 fragments. The complete molds include a quartet of conjoined spheres and a diamond-shaped design while the fragmentary molds show a Buddha or Bodhisattva, a curling volute, and a large foliate panel. Included are modern putty impressions of the 5 molds. Size of largest: 4.2" L x 2.75" W x 0.8" H (10.7 cm x 7 cm x 2 cm)

Provenance: private New Jersey, USA collection; ex-Spink and Son, London, UK, 1999

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#144855

Two are complete while 3 are fragmentary. Minor earthen deposits, abrasions, and softening to finer details, otherwise in great condition. Putty molds show nice level of detail in the mold cavities.