Catalog (564)

Finely carved, large statue of Hindu god Vishnu, wearing a high crown, jewels, dhoti and sandals, holding his four attributes (club, chakra, conch shell and lotus flower) in his four hands, and standing on a semi circular pedestal. Wood, with remnants of the original polychromy. India, 19th century. Height: 49 cm. Some abrasion due to age, otherwise very good condition.

Antique statue of Hindu deity, her hands joined in front,of her belly, standing on a rounded base. Wood with fine age patina. India, 18th century, maybe earlier. Height: 24.2 cm. Abrasion due to great age, otherwise good condition.

Statue of a household protecting deity or ancestor, sitting on a rounded base, his head with an unusual pointed top, his hands in "namaste" posture. Wood, with fine age patina. Nepal, 19th century. Height: 33.5 cm. Strong abrasion due to great age, otherwise good condition. Provenance: collected in Kathmandu in 1974.

Finely cast statue, with nice details, of Sadaksari Lokeshvara 'also knwon as Kharchheri, the "Lord of the Six Syllables" belonging to the mantra "Om Mani Padme Hum". Sadaksari is sitting on a lotus throne, and has four arms. In one hand he holds the "akshamala", which serves to count the number of times the mantra is spoken. In the other hand he holds the lotus of absolute purity. Furthermore, he holds the magic jewel Cintamani in front of his chest. Finally, his spiritual father, Amithaba, is...

Superb censer, richly decorated in relief with a chimera head on each side, the eight Buddhist symbols surrounded by foliage, the whole surmounting two levels of stylised lotuses. Reign mark beneath. White brass (or silver alloy) with a fine age patina. China, Qing Dynasty Guangxu period (1875-1908). Very good condition. NOTE: the censer is quite heavy.

A pair of Architectural ornaments carved in relief to represent female dancers, with symmetrical postures, inside niches. Wood, with age patina. Nepal, early 19th century, maybe earlier. Height: 29.7 cm. Provenance: acquired in Hong Kong from an antique dealer in 1989.

A pair of cylinder form long beads, one of dark blue colour, the other one of dark green colour, both decorated with geometric designs surrounding "eye" motives. Phoenician period mosaic glass, 6th to 4th century B.C. Some soil encrustation, otherwise good condition. NOTE: in several different ancient civilisations, be they of the Middle or Far East regions, the "eye" design was used since early times to protect against evil spirits.

A superbly cast mat weight, of circular form, with a fine decoration in relief representing a tiger attacking a large bird. The weight is made of bronze, with a beautiful red and green patina (a sign of great age). China, Han Dynasty. Dimensions: height: 6 cm, diameter of base: around 4.3 cm. Very good condition.

Himalayan altar dedicated to Buddha, with an elaborate arch with two pillars resting on two lions. The Buddha himself is represented standing on a lotus, in "varada mudra", and is surmounted by a small Amithaba Buddha above his head. Bronze, with fine age patina. Nepal, early 19th century. Height: 20.5 cm. Very good condition.

Statue of a household protecting deity, with minimalist features, standing in "namaste" posture. Wood, with dark patina probably due to soot. Nepal, 19th century. Height: 44.5 cm. Nicely mounted on a custom stand. Very good condition despite some abrasion dua to age. Provenance: collected in situ in 1976.

Gilt bronze miniature of a standing character (a deity, if so God Baal?) with arms half raised, his hands holding ritual objects. Phoenicia, ca. 1000 B.C. Height: 83 mm. Gilding partly missing, otherwise very good condition.

A pair of antique architectural ornaments, in the form of mythical birds. Heavy wood, with fine age patina with a dark colour probably due to soot. Nepal, 15/16th century, maybe older. Height: 34.8 cm. Good condition. Provenance: acquired in Nepal in 1975.

Very rare amulet made from a wild boar tooth, animal hair tainted in red and ropes. Northern India, Naga Peoples, early 20th century. Total height: 26 cm. Good condition despite obvious signs of age.

Rare and beautiful seal made of banded agate, of circular shape, with an intaglio design representing the bust of a king surrounded by a greek inscription. Diameter: 2.7 cm. Slight abrasion due to great age, otherwise very good condition.

Miniature statue of a standing flautist, in formal robes, holding his flute with both hands. Bronze, with a beautiful red and green patina. China, Tang dynasty. Height: 7.5 cm. Obvious signs of great age, otherwise very good condition.

Miniature statue of a dignitary, in formal attire, kneeling, with joined hands. Bronze, with fine age patina. China, Han dynasty. Height: 9.4 cm. Good condition.

Pair of amulets, with typical faces and postures, legs slightly bent, unusual feet. Wood, with fine dark patina. Indonesia, Borneo Island, Dayak Peoples. Height: 21.8 cm. Very good condition. Provenance: acquired in Singapore from a dealer specialising in tribal art and antiques in 1982.

Three miniature primitive statues depicting Hindu gods, one sitting on a oval throne in praying posture, the other one sitting on a slightly elevated circular throne holding his attributes, and the third one sitting on a square base also holding his attributes. Bronze, with fine age patinas. Height: 42 mm, 37 mm and 31 mm. Good condition despite signs of great age.

Ancient scroll painting representing Hell, with, at the center, King Yan, the God of Death and the ruler of Diyu surrounded by his assistants, among which the Judge of the Souls with his book listing every soul. Below are shown other judges, and demons which torture souls which were judged as not worthy of the heaven of the gods. This polychrome painting on paper was done in the early part of the 19th century, by an artist belongning the Yao ethnic minority residing in the South of China. Its he...

Statue of Buddha, his face reflecting a profound inner serenity, wearing monk's robes, sitting on an elevated throne, his hands in "bhumisparsa mudra". Slightly eroded alabaster. Height: 24.4 cm. Very good condition. Note: The statue was hollowed out inside, a feature which is quite rare, such statues being carved outside only.

Dry lacquer mask of the Gigaku traditional theater, finely made and lacquered in black and red colour, representing the character of an old man, with a long aquiline nose, open mouth showing teeth, large smile, very long ears, deep wrinkles all over the face. Inside the mask, a paper label with description of the mask and signature of the artist. Japan, early 20th century. Height: 25.2 cm. Very good condition.

Old mask of "gunyeya" type, with typical pointed face. The circular eyes are framed by metal and traces of red textile, the open mouth shows metal teeth. The mustache is evoked with animal skin on the upper lips, and the beard is made of red textile and animal hair. Finally, a sùmall bell is attached to the chin. Africa, Ivory Coast, Dan ethnic group. Height: 28 cm in total. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Obvious signs of use and old age, otherwise very good condition.

Replacement head, called "kus", finely carved to represent a human head, with realistic features, mouth open, pierced nose with a small (recent) bamboo stick inserted in it, two "earrings" made of textile and raffia. The head is made of wood, with a fine age patina. Papua New Guinea, Asmat, mid 20th century. Height: 25.9 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Very good condition. NOTE: Trophy heads or skulls were used in initiation rites. Wooden heads ("kus") first were carved to re...

very bn