Catalog (563)

Opium box of rounded rectangular shape, decorated with an embossed design all over its body representing a noble man in front of a house in the company of two women, a floral decor, Chinese characters and a geometric design. The lid itself is decorated with an embossed feminine figure (a dancer) surmounted by a bat. The box is made of copper with a fine age patina. China, end of 19th century. Height: 5.6 cm. Very good condition.

Superb "tsampa" bowl made of a wood core entirely covered with repoussé silver decorated in relief with the eight Buddhist symbols around its body surmounting a floral design. Beneath, a decoration representing a coiled dragon in relief framed by floral designs. Tibet, 19th century. Height: 2 3/16" (5,7 cm). Diameter: 4 1/2" (11,5 cm). A few dents, obvious signs of age, otherwise very good condition.

Agate cylinder seal with a finely engraved design representing a horseman surrounded by a bird and a bull. Bactria, Ca. 4th century BC. Height: 3.2 cm. Diameter: 1.5 cm. Very good condition.

A group of three mat weights. The first one is of circular form, with two tiger heads. Dimensions: H 35 mm, D 50 mm. The second one is oval shaped, looking like a chimera with wings. Dimensions: H 32 mm L 52 mm. The third one is a bird holding a branch in its beak, with an oval base. Dimensions: 34 mm, L 44 mm. All are made of gilt bronze, with a fine patina. Gilding partly missing, otherwise very good condition. Provenance: French provincial auction sale in the early seventies. NOTE: Origin...

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.

A set of three 19th century Indian jeweler's moulds, made of bronze, each one representing a Hindu deity. The first one shows a female deity, maybe Sarasvati, with four arms, holding her four attributes in her hands, riding a horse and surrounded by foliage. An inscription is incised at the back of the mould. Height: 6.3 cm. The second mould shows god Khandoba (a form of Shiva), holding a sword, riding a horse together with his wife, and accompanied by a dog running under the horse. Height: 6.2 ...

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.

Fertility doll, called "akuaba", with its typical cross shape and flat circular head. Wood, with fine glossy patina. Africa, Ghana, Ashanti ethnic group. Height: 10" (26 cm). Old insect infestation at the back lower part (no danger), otherwise very good condition.

Alabaster amulet finely carved to represent a falcon with a tiger head protruding from its tail. Two holes on top of the falcon wings allow attachment to a necklace. Mesopotamia, ca. 2000 B.C. Height: 7.5 cm. Old accident on its top, restored since, slight abrasion, otherwise very good condition

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.

Statue of Buddha, wearing diadem, his hands in "bhumisparsa mudra", sitting cross-legged on a lotus throne. Alabaster. Burma, 17th century. Height: 7 3/4" (19,7 cm). The piece is nicely mounted on a custom wood stand. Erosion due to great age, otherwise good condition. NOTE: originally, the statue was probably located in a niche. Provenance: old European collection.

Large Afghan ceramic charger, of hollow form, decorated with splashed green and brown lines crossing on a light beige background. The charger is typical of art style of the Bamiyan period during the Bactrian civilisation era. Diameter: 26.5 cm. Height: 8.9 cm. Small hairline, otherwise very good condition. NOTE: Old French collection, collected in situ in 1970.

Large and antique mask representing Bhairava, an avatar of Hindu God Shiva, with a terrifying expression. Wood, with traces of the original plastering and polychromy. Nepal, 17th century. Height: 19" (49 cm). Old accident --- the mask was split in two from top to bottom --- not very skillfully restored locally, strong erosion, otherwise good condition. A rare piece.

Earthenware offering plate depicting seven seated Buddha surmounting fine Buddhist devotees. Thailand Khmer period known as Lopburi, 12-14th century. 72 mm high x 55 mm wide x 14 mm thick. The piece is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Abrasion due to age, otherwise very good condition.

Very old Dan mask with circular eyes, protruding forehead, long thin nose, protruding lips, small chin. This mask is of the "gunyeya" type, and was used during the running competitions which were organised to train men to run and fight. It is made of wood, with a fine dark brown glossy patina. Its height: 19.8 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Africa, Ivory Coast/Liberia, first half of 20th century. Obvious signs of use and age, 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...

Rare and important mask of Defender of the Buddhist Faith, with an aggressive expression, bulging eyes, open mouth showing fangs, sun and moon symbols on forehead, stylized beard. Wood, with traces of kaolin in the recesses. Himalayan Region, Bhutan or Tibet, 18th century, probably earlier. Height: 14 1/2" (38 cm). The mask is mounted on a custom wood stand. Old accidents, erosion, otherwise good condition. Provenance: Old American collection.

"Ancient India", Bulletin of the Archeological Survey of India, number 10 and 11, Years 1954 and 1955. Edited and published by the Director General of Archaeology in India, New Delhi. Printed by the Job Press Ltd., Kanpur. 8 3/8"x10 11/16" (21,5x27 cm). 193 pages. Numerous drawings, maps and photos. A series of articles on the archeology of India, Afghanistan and Pakistan, by British and Indian field experts, published in the mid forties to the early sixties. Contents described on cover (see pho...