One of a pair of medallions with portrait busts

India, probably Maharashtra

Not on view

This elegant pair (with 2003.16.1) of roundel medallions with male busts, probably worn as cloak clasps, display a naturalism rarely encountered in portrait imagery found on Satavahana or Kushana coins and medallions. This object type has a lineage reaching back to Hellenistic Alexandria and more immediate parallels in Parthian (Iranian) royal portraiture of the first century CE. They were likely inspired by West Asian examples that circulated in the Indian luxury market.

One of a pair of medallions with portrait busts, Copper-nickel alloy, India, probably Maharashtra

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One of a pair of medallions with portrait busts, Copper-nickel alloy, India, probably Maharashtra
One of a pair of medallions with portrait busts, Copper-nickel alloy, India, probably Maharashtra
One of a pair of medallions with portrait busts, Copper-nickel alloy, India, probably Maharashtra

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