Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art (465)

Rhyton, of conical shape, decorated at its base with the bust of a tiger. Geometric design incised all over the body of the object. Bronze, with fine age patina and traces of soil encrustations. Bactrian Civilisation, ca. 4th century B.C. Height: 14 cm. Weight: 1.15 kg. The piece is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Very good condition.

Belt hook, or fibula, made of glass, with a finely detailed decoration in relief, largely influenced by the Warring States Period style, and representing, from top to bottom, first a large dragon head, then two chimeras side by side, then, at the end, a large tiger head. Nicely incised knob at the back. China, Qing Dynasty, 18th century, maybe earlier. Length: 19.8 cm. Remnants of soil encrustations. Very good condition. A very rare object.

Funeral statuette made of calcite. The statuette is composed of three separate parts: a head, a torso adorned with two chimeras in relief and a base decorated with geometric design also in relief. This type of statuette is commonly called "Bactrian princess" among specialists, and dates back from the mid third to the early second millenium BC. Such funeral objects seem to have played an important role in the funerals of elites of the Margiana and maybe the Bactrian courts as well. Height: 8.4 cm...

Bronze plate of circular form with a decoration in relief on the obverse depicting Centaur Chiron with Achilles on his back holding a spear. At the reverse, decoration in relief depicting a concentric stylised foliage. Fine age patina. Bactrian Civilisation, 3rd to 2nd century BC. Diameter: 15.8 cm. Very good condition. NOTE 1: the plate shows a strong Greek aesthetic influence...

Statue of a grinning demonic spirit or "yaksha", standing on stylised clouds, with an elaborate hairdo, wearing ribbons and a sort of "dhoti" with a belt decorated with a tiger head, holding with his left hand a dragon coiled around him. The statue aesthetic style is influenced by Tang dynasty art style. Glass, with remnants of gilding. China, 19th century. Height: 19.2 cm. Very good condition.

Statue of a Taoist deity ("fashi"), in formal attire, sitting on a throne, holding his commandment baton in his right hand and a bowl containing the lustral water in his left. Wood, coated with traces of polychrome painting. Votive box at the back, lid missing. China, early 19th century, maybe earlier. Height: 20.7 cm. Abrasion due to age otherwise very good condition.

"Khatvanga", a ritual object used during Tantric ceremonies, decorated with a crowned Citipati on its top, and incised geometric designs. Iron, with four inlaid bronze rings along the shaft. Tibet, early 20th century. Height: 23 cm. Strong oxydation, otherwise very good condition.

Large mask representing the face of Mahakala with its typical terrifying expression, the features being carved in relief and the mouth in openwork showing teeth . At the top of the back of the head a small cylinder has been carved on a small platform. This cylinder was meant to contain a horse hair (often of white coulour), to decorate the mask. Wood, with obvious signs of great age and remains of woodworm attack (no more danger). Old accidents and old and local restorations on top of mask...

Small covered box with an embossed decoration all around the body representing stylised animals in small medalions. The lid is surmounted by an animal (tiger?) and the base is decorated with a lotus. Solid silver with a fine patina. Burma, 19th century. Height: 5.5 cm. Diameter: 5.7 cm. Very goodcondition.

Small steatite amulet Carved in the form of a wild boar standing on a rectangular base. Indus Valley Civilisation, 2500-1500 B.C. Length: 33 mm. Height: 22 mm. Slight abrasion due to age, otherwise very good condition.

Fragment of a relief carved in marble to represent a flying "apsara". China, Tang dynasty, 10th century. Height: 12.5 cm. The piece is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Good condition. Provenance: French auction sale 1992.

Statue of Duowen Tian Wang, the Heavenly King of the North, elaborately dressed, wearing a diadem, holding the end of a ribbon with his left hand and a Buddhist scepter resting on a lotus in his right hand. The statue is standing on an square pedestal. The piece was originally lacquered, painted and gilt. Part of the lacquering is flaked, revealing the bronze oxydation. The statue was cast in China during the early Qing Dynasty, in the 18th century. Height: 37 cm. Very good condition.

Rare plate decorated with a relief design representing two intertwined Citipati dancing together on a lotus. Gilt copper, fine patina. Tibet, 19th century. Height: 39.4 cm. Very good condition.

Statue of Hindu god Indra, wearing a diadem, large earrings and a loin cloth, sitting in a variation of the virasana posture. He has the typical third eye on his forehead. His face reflects a profound inner serenity. The statue is made of gilt bronze, with a nice age patina and remnants of ritual material on the face. Nepal, early 19th century. Height: 24.5 cm. Old encrustations, otherwise very good condition.

Statue of Hindu goddess Shridevi, one of the two consorts ("shakti") of god Vishnu, standing on an elevated square base, holding a lotus flower in her left hand. Bronze, with fine patina. India, 18th century. Height: 6.2 cm. Some abrasion due to age, otherwise very good condition.

Wooden ornament, carved in relief on wood, representing Hindu god Kartikeya, with six heads, holding a spear in his right hand, riding his peacock, in a niche, flanked by two other niches in which are shown his two wives, Devasena and Valli. The two other niches are surmounted each by a kala makara (dragon) head. The whole scene is resting on two feet, each decorated in relief with a foliage design. India, 19th century, maybe earlier. Height: 49 cm...

Very rare and old mask, finely carved to represent Hanuman, half monkey half god, the deified hero of the famous Ramayana epic, with a vivid expression. Wood, with remnants of polychromy. Bhutan/Arunchal Pradesh, early 19th century. Height: 20.8 cm. Nicely mounted on a custom stand. Old insect infestation (no more danger), small crack at chin level, otherwise good condition.

Feminine figure, of elongated form, arms alongside the body, hands holding the abdomen, standing on a rounded base. Wood, glossy patina. Indonesia, Atoni, West Timor. Height: 31 cm. Old accidents, otherwise good condition.

Noh theater mask, with a vivid fierce expression, representing the character of Otobide. Wood, painted in gold, silver, black and red to enhance the mask features. Japan, 19th century. Height: 21.2 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Old accidents and restorations, otherwise good condition.

Statue of a Taoist deity --- maybe a judge in Hell --- in mandarin attire, sitting on a throne, his hands in praying posture. Lacquered and gilt wood. China, Qing dynasty, 18th century. Height: 20.2 cm. Old woodworm attacks (no more danger) lacquering and gilding partly flaked, otherwise very good condition.

Dry lacquer Noh mask depicting the character of Kokushiki-Jo and designed to represent divine blessings. Inscription at the back of the mask. Japan, early 20th century, maybe earlier. Height: 20.4 cm. Some chips around the rim, partly flaked lacquer, otherwise good condition. NOTE: This mask is used exclusively in "Okina", an ancient dance ritual said to be close to the roots of Noh. Okina is viewed as sacred and therefore accorded a different status from other items in the Noh repertoire...

Beautifully carved relief fragment representing the head of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, wearing a diadem on which appears a small Buddha Amithaba in meditation sitting on a lotus throne and surrounded by foliage. Avalokiteshvara has a third eye, and a necklace. Stone, with some abrasion. Gandhara Graeco-Buddhist period (1st to 5th century). Height: 18.5 cm. The head is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Very good condition...

Rare mask of Mahakala, cast in great detail, with a fierce expression, the head surmounted by a crown of skulls, the open mouth showing fangs. Iron with polychrome paint. Tibet, early 20th century. Height: 17 cm. Width: 17 cm. Painting partly flaked, some oxidation, oitherwise very good condition.

Statue of Buddha Amithaba or Amitayus, wearing an unusual diadem, jewelry and dhoti, sitting cross-legged on an elevated throne backed by a flaming mandorla, holding the elixir of immortality in his hands. Bronze, with a fine reddish-green patina. This statue is a Sino-Tibetan work, dating late 18th century/early 19th century. Height: 18.5 cm. Very good condition. Provenance: acquired from a Hong Kong antique dealer in 1978.

Rare gilt bronze gourd, of oval shape, with an embossed decor representing Bodhisattva Padmapani, standing, holding a vase in his left hand and a lotus on his right hand. Geometric design on the back and the sides. A nicely decorated stopper is attached to the gourd with a small chain. Two loops on the top sides were meant to attach the gourd to the shoulder or the belt. Gandhara Graeco-Buddhist Civilisation, ca. 3rd/4th century. Height: 17 cm...

Miniature altar representing Hindu god Shiva and his wife Parvati, standing, and backed by a mandorla. Bronze, with strong abrasion due to age and fine patina. India, 17th/18th century, maybe earlier. Height: 83 mm. Very good condition. Provenance: old Berlin collection.

A pair of blue and white Chinese Qing Dynasty plates. The smallest one has a 24 cm diameter, and is decorated inside with a geometric design at the center surrounded by a floral decor and a series of three concentric symbols going towards the rim, the potter's mark behind, and a very good condition. The larger one has a 28.2 cm diameter, with a large character in the middle surrounded by four concentric symbols going towards the rim and, at the back, four stylised "shou" characters around the bo...

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...

Ivory seal carved to represent a lion resting on a rectangular base. Inscription in archaistic style beneath. China, Ming Dynasty. Height: 5.5 cm. Very good condition.

Small ceramic vase of globular form, with a curved flaring neck and two tiny ears on the shoulders, decorated with a series of oblique lines in relief over the whole body. Light celadon colour. Crackle glaze. China, Song Dynasty. Height: 10.8 cm. Very good condition.

Statue of a snarling lion holding a smaller lion under its front paws, resting on a rectangular base. Bronze, with fine dark green patina with reddish areas. China, Ming Dynasty. Length: 6.7 cm. Height: 5.7 cm. Very good condition.

Finely carved mask, with strong features and delicate painting meant to enhance the strength of the character it represents. The character depicted here is of Hashihime. The mask is made of wood, its eyes are made of metal. The mask is signed. Japan,Taisho and Early Showa Period (1912-1945). Height: 20.8 cm. Very good condition. NOTE 1: The most famous hashihime story comes from Tsurugi no Maki, in The Tale of the Heike, and is retold in the noh play Kanawa. NOTE 2:Here is the legend of Hashi...

Statue of Guanyu, the general of Liu Bei, which was transformed into the famous Guangong, the Taoist God of War. Guanyu is shown here in full military garb, with helmet and armor, sitting on an elevated throne. Votive box at the back, still closed. Wood, with remnants of superimposed painting, lacquering and gilding. China, 19th century. Height: 24.7 cm. Painting and lacquering partly flaked, otherwise very good condition.

Important goblet of cylindrical form flaring towards its top, superbly decorated in relief all over its body with embossed court scenes showing a queen, half naked and sitting on a throne, being taken care of by several servants. The goblet is made of silver, with a fine age patina. Afghanistan, Graeco-Bactrian Kingdom, ca. 3rd century. Height: 10.4 cm. Obvious signs of great age, otherwise very good condition. Provenance: 1) old collection of a French diplomat who lived in Afghanistant during t...

Small figurine representing Kuan Yin, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, in formal attire and wearing elaborate diadem and necklaces, flanked by two worshippers, standing on an elevated throne in front of which a lion head is showing in relief. Bronze, with dark reddish-green patina. China, Northern Wei or Sui Dynasty. Height: 2 3/4" (7 cm). Abrasion due to great age, otherwise good condition. An extremely rare object.

A rare ring, elaborately decorated with two kinds of stupas linked together. Bronze, with nice age patina. Soil encrustations. Graeco-Buddhist Civilisation, Gandhara, ca. 3rd century. Inside diameter: 17 mm. Height: 43 mm. Very good condition.