Catalog (563)

Shamanic mask, with minimalist features, probably representing a demon. Wood, with fine dark brown glossy patina. Nepal, mid 20th century. Height: 28 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Very good condition.

Beautifully decorated book cover, of very refined gilded hammered copper on wood, with, on one side, two dragons with the "Ratna", or "Mani" (the Jewel of the Buddhist doctrine) in the middle, surrounded by stylised cloud motifs and framed in lotus design. On the other side, three handpainted Buddhist figures representing Manjushri, Chenresig and the Mahakala. These paintings have withstood the test of time a little less well than the front side. Otherwise, the book cover is in very good condit...

Extraordinary, rare and very old ancestral statue, "korwar", carved from single piece of wood representing a standing human figure on a rounded base with a symbolically oversized skull head, with a lodging on top to accommodate a real partial ancestor skull. Two small dieties figures were carved in relief on the sides of the skull. Addionally, the right arm of the human figure was carved separately and affixed to the korwar with a tenon. Korwar figures represent ancestor spirits that are hig...

Unusual mask carved in wood, in the form of a skull face, with a strong expression in relief. Remnants of the original pigments meant to enhance the mask features. This mask, which was never worn, was used by a "dukun" for ritual practices and ceremonies. The mask was found in the island of Java, Indonesia. Its height: 17 cm. Mounted on a custom stand. Despite signs of great age and old accidents, the mask is in rather good condition. Provenance: old Dutch collection. NOTE: A dukun is an Ind...

Statue of a horseman (probably a Hindu deity), holding a spear in his right hand. Bronze, with fine age patina. India, 19th century. Height: 8.7 cm. Length: 8.8 cm. Good condition.

Brush case, nicely embossed with an openwork decoration representing three stylised Buddhist vajras on either side, surrounded with a foliage and geometric design. Silver alloy, with a fine age patina. The center of each vajra must have contained a coral or turquoise to enhance the beauty of the case. The case was made in Tibet in the 19th century, maybe earlier. Length: 33.5 cm. Very good condition .

Old buddhist altar representing Buddha and two bodhisattvas, each one standing on a lotus and backed by a mandorla, the whole group surmounted by the Buddhist Flaming Pearl and resting on a double lotus. Apocryphal reign mark beneath (Emperor Qian Long). Bronze with fine age patina. China, late 19th century. Height: 17 cm. Very good condition.

Finely cast, with fine details, miniature statue of Bodhisattva Tara, the Buddhist Goddess of Compassion, wearing a diadem, a dhoti and jewelry, sitting on a lotus throne in "lila asana" posture with her right foot resting on a lotus flower. A lotus in full blossom is resting on each arm. Bronze, with nice age patina. Tibet, early 20th century. Height: 5.4 cm. Very good condition.

Finely cast statue of Buddha, in monk's robes, sitting cross-legged on a double lotus throne, his hands in bhumisparsa mudra. The lotus throne is nicely sculpted partly in openwork, on its lower part. Bronze, with fine age patina. Burma, Ava Style, 18th century. Height: 13 cm. Very good condition. Provenance: old Dutch collection.

Finely carved mask of the Noh traditional theater, with a verystrong expression, representing the character of Otobide. The mask is made of wood, painted in gold (the whole face), black (for the eyebrows and moustache, also on top of the forehead) and red (for the mouth), and the eyes are made of brass. Japan, late 19th century. Height: 21.2 cm. Slight abrasion on some areas due to age, otherwise very good condition. NOTE 1: Otobide is a deity of extraordinary spiritual power, bringing blessin...

Large circular plate beautifully and intricately decorated with concentric embossed designs, consisting in, on the front side, from the center to the rim: - in the center, a Citipati holding a skull in his left hand and a khatvangha in his right dancing on a lotus base and framed by a flaming mandorla, - a circle of tiny stylised Citipati, - a circle of skulls, - a wide circle containing two dragons facing the Flaming Pearl and two phoenixes below framing two deers facing the Wheel of the L...

Old mask of the Noh traditional theater representing the character of Yamauba or Yamamba, with an emaciated face, dishevelled hair, and a sinister smile. The mask is made of wood, painted to ehance its features, and with brass eyes. The mask is signed. Japan, early 20th century. Height: 21 cm. Some abrasion due to age and wear, otherwise very good condition. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. NOTE: According to legend, Yama Uba or "The Mountain Witch" is a demon from Japanese folklo...

Dry lacquer mask of the traditional Gigaku Theater, finely carved and lacquered to depict an elderly man (old widower) with a long aquiline nose, full red lips forming a smile, elongated earlobes, and deeply carved wrinkles. The eyes and mouth are pierced. The back with a label inscribed inside deszcribing the mask and with the artist signature. Rich, dark patina. Height: 25 cm. Good condition with some wear and minor age flaking and losses to lacquer, tiny chips to edges. NOTE: This mask rep...

Statue of a standing woman in formal dress, with an unusual necklace supporting a Christian cross. Wood, with fine glossy patina. India, 19th century. Height: 18.5 cm. The statue is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Abrasion due to age, otherwise good condition.

A pair of important books on Samurai, their history, fighting techniques, armour and weapons. The first book is "Secrets of the Samurai" published in 1973 by Charles E. Tuttle Company Inc. of Rutland, Vermont, USA. This book is a definitive study of the martial arts of feudal Japan, illustrating in detail the weapons, tecfhniques, strategies and principles of combat that made the Japanese warriors a terrible foe. Profusely illustrated in 464 pages, this study provides and insight into the variou...

Rare gilt bronze pendant, of circular form, with a finely embossed decoration representing a soldier beating a seated man with a whip, the whole scene surrounded by geometric design. Small cylindrical loop for attachement to a necklace. Nice patina. Bactrian Civilisation, ca. 500 BC. Diameter: 9.3 cm. Very good condition. NOTE: we offer for sale another Bactrian Civilisation gilt bronze pendant which bears number 1-1376.

Porcelain cup, blue and white, with a decoration inside representing concentric floral designs surrounding a chimera located in the center. On the outside, a floral decor of same type as inside. China, apocryphal mark beneath. Early Qing dynasty period, 18th century. Diameter: 22.8 cm. Very good condition.

Statue of a guardian, with a large mustache, wearing a turban --- suggesting that the man belongs to the Sikh community --- and a uniform. Wood, with strong abrasion due to great age. India, 18th/19th century. Height: 37 cm. The statue is mounted on a custom stand. Arms and feet missing, otherwise good condition.

Fine lime box, made of silver with embossed decoration of floral and geometric design, its lid being adorned at its top with an embossed brass decor representing a stylised Buddhist Wheel of the Law. Beneath, an embossed design representing a stylised Buddhist Wheel of the Law surrounded by a floral decor. The box still contains remnants of lime, which is used for the betel. Tibet, early 20th century, maybe earlier. Dimensions: height: 4.8 cm, diameter: 6.3 cm. Very good condition.

Fine rectangular lime box made of bronze, decorated with numerous silver inserts representing floral and geometric designs. Inside the box are four compartments with their lids, also decorated with silver inserts showing stylised flowers. Philippines archipelago, Mindanao island, early 19th century. Dimensions: length: 9.3 cm, height: 6.1 cm. Slight abrasion due to age, otherwise very good condition. Provenance: Acquired in Luzon island in 1978.

Large and important bust of Hindu goddess Parvati, wife of god Shiva. This beautiful lost wax chiseled and cast bust made of bronze underlines perfectly the harmony of the face and the beauty of the jewelry the goddess is wearing. India, 19th/20th century. Height: 30.2 cm. Very good condition. NOTE 1: As the title implies, ("Parvati Mukhalinga"), this bust was associated with the Linga of Shiva. The Linga is a phallic symbol, symbolising the power of Shiva.

Suoerbly cast five prong vajra, with delicate details, on the makara heads, as well as on the stylised lotus. Bronze with fine dark patina. Tibet, mid 20th century, maybe earlier. Length: 12 cm. Very good condition.

Small statue of Buddha, in monk's robes, sitting cross-legged on an elevated lotus throne, holding a bowl in his left hand, his right hand in protecting and blessing posture (abhaya mudra). The statue was cast in the style of the Liao dynasty Buddha images. Bronze, with fine age patina. Qing Dynasty, 18th century. Slight abrasion due to age, otherwise very good condition.

Three small amulets cast in the form of deities standing in formal dress. Bronze, with partly encrusted reddish-green patina. China, Han dynasty. Height: 52, 54 and 54 mm. All in good condition.

Old mask of the "gunyeya" type, used for ritual running competitions, with eyebrows in slight relief, round eyes, protruding large nose and lips, small chin. Multiple perforations around the rim for attachment of hair and beard, both missing. Wood, with fine age patina. Ivory Coast/Liberia, Dan ethnic group, first half of 20th century. Height: 25.5 cm. Small accidents, otherwise good condition. Provenance: Paris auction sale 1971.

Partly gilt wood statue of Buddhist goddess Sho Kannon Bosatsu (one of the many forms of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara), wearing formal robes, and a diadem with a small stylised Amithaba on the front, standing, her hands joined to hold a bowl. The goddess face reflects a profound meditation. Fine age patina. Japan, Edo period, early 19th century, maybe earlier. Height: 24.2 cm. Old insect attack on the right side (no more danger), otherwise very good condition.

Wood mask of the Gigaku theater representing Konju, a figure in ancient Gigaku dance. The finely carved mask shows a very strong expression. Japan, early Edo period. Height: 18 cm. Beautiful age patina. Some abrasion, otherwise very good condition. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. NOTE: Gigaku theater is one of the most ancient dramatic arts in Japan, performing ritual dance, mime and music, and taking place inside Buddhist temples. This ritual show, during which comic, profane an...

Very rare Japanese comic demon Buaku Kyogen mask dating from the early Edo Period, the golden age of Noh Drama. The Buaku mask is a Kyogen version of the Noh Beshimi character. Kyogen were short, humorous skits performed between Noh acts to lighten the mood. The heavily knit brows and wide leering grimace are wonderful characteristics of this mask. It is covered in layered colored gofun (oyster shell lacquer). It is brilliantly carved, accentuating the depth of his eye sockets, and adding a sens...

Terracotta vase, of elaborate form, with a polychrome decoration, painted around the body, representing eight birds. Indus Valley Civilisation, Harappan Culture, 3300-1700 B.C. Height: 6.7 cm, outside diameter: 12.1 cm. A few chips, some soil encrustation, otherwise good condition. Provenance: Paris auction sale 1969.

A fine group of three gilt bronze belt plates, of slightly rectangular form, each bearing a decoration in relief representing a musician playing an instrument. Gilt bronze, with a nice patina, partly green, partly reddish. China, Tang dynasty. Dimensions: 3.1 x 3.2 cm. Very good condition

Delicately carved head of Fuxi, wearing an elaborate cap, his beautifully detailed face showing a slight smile. Wood, with remnants of superimposed layers of colouring. Remains of animal hair under the nose and chin to represent mustache and beard. Votive box (closed) at the back. China, Ming Dynasty period, 17th century. Height: 30 cm. The head is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Very good condition despite some flaking of the colouring. NOTE 1: Fuxi, also called Nuo Gong, with his wife Nüw...

Statue of Buddha Sakyamuni, fine details, with a pointed usnisa, his hands in "bhumisparsa mudra", sitting on an elevated lotus throne. The statue is made of silver foil on a terracotta core. Laos, early 20th century, maybe earlier. Height: 13.6 cm. Very good condition despite a tiny chip on the lower left side of the throne.

Ceramic cup, with handpainted decoration representing a human being in formal dress holding flowers with his hands, framed by a circular geometric design around the rim. Islamic art of Khurasan, or Khorasan, 8th to 10th centuries. Diameter: 13.4 cm. Height: 4.1 cm. Good condition despite a few chips and an old accident around the rim.

Rare architectural ornament, with an unusual form, representing a chimera or mythical bird with a human head, half human - half bird, standing on a rounded base and backed by a pillar. Eroded wood, fine age patina. India, early 19th century, maybe earlier. Height: 18.8 cm. Very good condition. A highly unusual piece.

Statue made of glass representing the Buddha Akshobhya, in monk's robes, sitting on a lotus throne and backed against a lotus mandorla, holding a vajra in his joined hands. China, Qing Dynasty, early 19th century. Height: 10.2 cm. Very good condition.

Very old mask of the Kyogen traditional theater representing the character of Bishamon, with a very fierce expression enhanced by finely, well detailed, carved features. Wood, with traces of the original colouring. Japan, early Edo period. Height: 21 cm. Abrasion due to great age, otherwise very good condition. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. NOTE: Bishamon, or Bishamon-Ten, is one of the four guardians of Buddhism, often shown at the entrance of temples.