Catalog (563)

Head of a lohan (or arhat), its striking expression reflecting a profound inner happiness, with a third eye appearing on its forehead. Terracotta, with a plaster coating on which a white (for the whole face and neck), dark (for the eyebrows), and red (for the lips and mouth) pigment is applied. China, Ming Dynasty Period, maybe earlier. Height: 9" (23 cm). The head is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Some and small flaking on forehead and top of head, old and fine restoration at the base ...

Round shaped beer jug, resting on rectangular flaring base. Iron, with a brass frame around the sides and the base. Traces of original gilding in the center. Central recessed area shows a "shou" incised symbol. This area is surrounded by incised foliate design on the jug body. Tibet, 19th century, maybe earlier. Height: 14 1/2" (36,5 cm). Heavy oxydization, frame partly missing around base (see photo), a few dents, otherwise good condition.

Reliquary figure carved in the shape of a standing female, with typical coiffe, serene face with scarifications on forehead, conical breasts, hands joined at abdomen level. The statue is resting on a large wood lid, on which it is affixed with soil material. The reliquary box itself is missing. Wood, with partly encrusted dark patina. Africa, Gabon, Punu Peoples. Height: 18 3/4" (47 cm). Obvious signs of use and age, otherwise very good condition. NOTE: like the Fang Peoples, the Punu used to ...

Nuo theater mask representing the smiling Tudigong, the god of the soil and of cereals in ancient Chinese mythology, wearing a formal cap. Wood, with traces of lacquer, fine dark patina. China, early 19th century, maybe older. Height: 11 1/4" (28,5 cm). The mask is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Old local restorations from top to bottom, otherwise good condition.

Very old mask with an elongated face, with moon and sun signs in relief on the forehead, small eyes, long nose, open mouth showing teeth. Wood, with encrusted patina. Nepal, 18th century. Height: 10 1/4" (26,2 cm). The mask is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Old accident from top to bottom restored locally a long time ago, otherwise good condition. Ex. old European collection.

Beautiful 4-string lute ("saranghi"), the top in the shape of a head holds the four keys, the body itself is made of two parts of heart shape. Wood, with nice dark-brown glossy patina. The lower part is covered with animal skin affixed with tiny wood pegs. Himalaya, 19th century. Height: 22 1/4" (55,6 cm). The lute is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Obvious signs of use and age, otherwise very good condition. NOTE: this piece was collected in the early 1970s, during my 20 year stay in As...

Repousse plaque representing Hindu God Vishnu, wearing a diadem and dhoti, standing on a lotus, holding his attributes in his four arms. Brass, with nice reddish-green patina. Nepal, 17th/18th century. Height: 9" (22,5 cm). Very good condition despite obvious signs of great age.

Beautifully carved butter churner guide ("Ghurra' or "neti"), decorated with a relief rope and chevron design. Wood, with fine dark-brown patina. Himalayan Region. Length: 11 1/4" (23,5 cm). The piece is nicely mounted on a custom wood stand. Obvious signs of use and age, otherwise very good condition. NOTE: the "ghurra" was collected in situ in the early 1970s, during my 20 years stay in Asia.

Face mask, with a cylindrical coiffe presenting a small relief in its middle of what seems to be a head and raised arms surrounded by geometric design, with a protruding forehead, pierced through sunken eyes, long nose in relief, pierced through mouth showing teeth, long chin. Wood, with remnants of polychrome pigments, aged patina. China, Yao ethnic group, early 20th century. Height: 12 1/2" (32 cm). The mask is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Obvious signs of great age, strong erosion,...

Small architectural element, probably part of a tympanum ("torana") of a temple or palace door, of circular shape, carved in relief to represent the Hindu mythical bird Garuda head, flanked with wings, holding the Naga snake in its claws. Wood, with dark-brown encrusted patina. Remnants of red pigment (tika?) on various areas. Mortises at top and bottom sides. Nepal, 17th century, probably earlier. Length: 13 1/4" (34 cm). The piece is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Obvious signs of gre...

Rare and unusual statue of Vairocana Buddha, wearing diadem and monk's robes, sitting on an elevated lotus throne, his right hand in "abhaya mudra", his left hand resting on his lap, in didactic gesture. The front bottom side of the throne shows two small assistants (maybe Buddha's two companions, Ananda and Kasyapa) in relief, sitting in "regal repose". The back of the throne is incised with a long inscription (datation). Bronze, with fine encrusted green patina. China, early Ming Dynasty, prob...

Small statue of a Judge of the Souls in Hell, in formal attire, sitting on a throne. Wood, with remnants of the original polychrome pigments on plaster. China, Ming Dynasty Period (1368-1644). Height: 7 3/4" (19,5 cm). Obvious signs of great age, otherwise good condition.

Statue of Taoist dignitary, in formal attire, his hands joined together, standing on a square base. The dignitary face reflects a profound inner serenity. Bronze, partly encrusted green patina. China, Ming Dynasty Period (1368-1644). Height: 9" (23 cm). Small dents/chips on base, otherwise very good condition.

Statue of Buddha, in monk's robes, eyes half closed, his hands in "abhiseka mudra", sitting cross-legged on a double lotus throne. Bronze, with large remnants of the original gilding and dark, reddish-green encrusted patina. China, Yuan or early Ming Dynasty, 14th century. Height: 7 3/8" (18,8 cm). Good condition. NOTE: "abhiseka mudra" is the mudra (hands posture) of anointing. It is very rarely seen in Buddha statues.

Finely cast statue of Bodhisattva Manjusri, in formal attire, his face showing a half smile, sitting in "rajalila asana" on a chimera or highly stylized lion, both resting on an elevated lotus throne. China, Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Height: 9 1/8" (23,3 cm). Iron, with partly encrusted patina. Obvious signs of great age, strong oxydization in some areas, otherwise very good condition. A very fine statue. NOTE: "rajalila asana" is the king's posture. It is sometimes used on bodhisattvas statues....

Statue of a protecting deity or ancestor, standing on slightly bent legs, its hands in praying posture, its face expressing agressiveness. Patinated and eroded wood. Nepal, early 20th century. Height: 15" (38 cm). The statue is mounted on a custom metal stand.

Statue of the Judge of the Souls, standing in formal attire, holding the register of merits and demerits of human souls in both hands. Patinated wood, with traces of the original polychrome pigments in the recesses. China, early Ming Dynasty, probably earlier. Height: 13" (33 cm). Obvious signs of great age, old insect infestation (no more danger), left foot missing, otherwise good condition.

Architectural element (part of a beam, or a corner), nicely carved in relief and representing Garuda, the vehicle of Hindu god Vishnu, half-bird, half-man, in his anthropomorphic appearance. Heavy wood (probably from the Southern part of Nepal), dark patina. Nepal, 19th century or earlier. Height: 13" (34 cm); The piece is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. A few chips, otherwise very good condition.

Standing female figurine, with typical coiffe and elongated head, scarifications on face and torso, arms alongside and separated from torso, small breasts, straight legs and big stylized feet. Wood, fine dark-brown semi-glossy patina. Africa, D.R. Congo, Mangbetu Peoples. Height: 11 7/8" (30 cm). The statue is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Old accident on left shoulder (local restoration), erosion, otherwise good condition.

Small mask representing the face of a "lakhe", an celestial entity which protects humans and households against evil spirits. Wood, with beautiful dark patina. Himalayan Region, 18th century. Height: 5 1/4" (13,5 cm). The mask is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Old restoration at the back of the right eye, erosion due to age, otherwise very good condition. A rare piece in this size.

Superbly decorated very old bear skull, with typically Dayak incised designs all over its upper part. Beautiful partly encrusted patina. Indonesia, Borneo Island, Dayak Peoples. Length: 9" (22,7 cm), height: 3 1/4" (8,2 cm). Lower jaw and and a few teeth missing --- though these factors do not impair the rarity and beauty of the piece --- otherwise very good condition. A very rare ethnographic artifact. IMPORTANT: export to the European Community countries only.

Lozenge-shaped gilt bronze plate, embossed to represent a concentric decoration of stylized lotuses and geometric design with, at the center, a coral intaglio in relief representing the Hindu God Ganesha. Height: 2 3/8" (6,1 cm), length: 3 11/16" (9,3 cm). The plate is nicely mounted on a custom wood stand. Beautiful green and reddish partly encrusted patina. Very good condition. A rare piece.

Small altar comprising of a statue of Green Tara sitting in regal repose on a lion, with a small statue of a worshipper on her lower right side, the whole group surmounting an elevated throne on four legs with, at the back, a large mandorla on the upper side of which stands a small Buddha in relief. Ancient inscription at the back of the mandorla (see photo). Bronze, with green and reddish patina in the recesses. India, 16th century or earlier. Height: 5 1/8" (13,4 cm). Due to the fact that one ...

Highly unusual phurba lavishly decorated, from top to bottom, with stylized lotus, four deities heads separated by a pitcher and a trident, geometric design, a "makara" head with three Shiva tridents on top and snakes at the tip of the blade. Wood, with nice dark-brown semi-glossy and partly encrusted patina. An iron loop holds a piece of old textile. Nepal, early 19th century. Height: 10 3/4" (27 cm). The piece is nicely mounted o a custom metal stand. Small losses, erosion, otherwise very go...

Five-tier inro made of paulownia decorated with a red and black lacquer design of chrysanthemums, with remnants of the original gilding. wood ojime in the shape of a human skull, simple wood netsuke carved in to a circle. Japan, 18th century. Height 3" (7,5 cm). Overall wear due to age, otherwise good condition.

Tsuba with a decoration in strong relief of a dragon among clouds. Iron, with heavy oxidization. Japan, mid Edo Period. Height: 3 1/16" (8 cm). Despite obvious signs of age, very good condition.

Small tsuba (probably meant for a wakizashi), with a decoration in rief of a bird flying over waves. Eroded and oxidized iron. Japan, mid Edo period. Height: 2 11/16" (6,7 cm). Very good condition.

A very rare small box, made of embossed brass, lavishly decorated with various designs on its lid and body. On the lower part of its body the design is a series of "niches" containing effigies of deities and also the portrait in profile of an important person, probably a king. Superb dark-green and reddish patina. Tibetan characters beneath. Tibet, 17th century. Height: 3 3/8" (8,7 cm). il. Superbe patine.

Large head of Buddha, with a nicely rendered face, its slight smile and lowered eyes reflecting a profound inner serenity. Dry lacquer, with remnants of the original gilding. Burma,early 19th century, maybe earlier. Height: 13" (33 cm). The head is nicely mounted on a custom wood stand. Very good condition. IMPORTANT: owing to the fragile character of the piece and the necessity to make a very careful packing, please consult us on the shipping cost.

Very rare architectural element beautifully carved in the shape of a celestial being, maybe Garuda, flying and holding a vessel in his hands. Wood, with dark-brown patina. Nepal, 18th century, maybe earlier. Height: 14,5 cm. The piece is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Old insect infestation (treated, no danger), some losses, otherwise very good condition.

Realistic and superbly cast statue of a Taoist dignitary, standing in formal attire, holding an archaic vessel with both hands, with a slight smile on his face. Bronze, encrusted patina, traces of gilding in some recesses. China, Qing Dynasty, early 18th century, probably earlier. Height: 7" (17,7 cm). Old dent on the upper part of the back, otherwise very good condition. A rare piece.

Old ritual dagger ("phurpa"), beautifully carved to represent, from top to bottom, a protruding animal head, three deities busts, a stylized "vajra", and finally a stylized "makara" (water dragon) head on the three-blades point. The phurpa is made of wood, with a fine dark-brown patina. Nepal, early 19th century. Height: 9 3/4" (24,8 cm). The piece is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Chips at the top and bottom of the object, otherwise good condition. NOTE: Phurpas were and are still used...

Unusual small dagger, its handle made of horn and carved in the shape of a forearm and fist. The strangely shaped iron blade bears the craftsman's initials. Indonesia, Borneo Island. Length: 7 3/8" (18,7 cm). The piece is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Signs of long use, otherwise good condition.

Carved banded calcite/alabaster bowl with a small circular base. Exceptional natural color veins ranging from dark, pinkish and tan cream, carved to exploit the natural veining. Bactria, Ca. 3000 to 2000 B.C. Diameter: 4 1/4" (10,8 cm). Very good condition.

Highly unusual statue of protecting deity or ancestor, its head surmounted by a circular crown which looks like a "stupa" or a "usnisa". The protector is squatting, its hands are in praying posture. Eroded wood. West Nepal. Height: 36" (41 cm). Obvious signs of great age.

Statue of Kubera, the God of Wealth and Prosperity, wearing diadem and formal attire, sitting on a dais. The god holds the Buddhist umbrella in his right hand, while he holds the mongoose that spits the jewels in his left hand. The statue is made of gilt copper, with a nice green and reddish patina in the recesses. Tibet, 18th century. Height: 4 7/8" (12,3 cm). Very good condition.