Catalog (551)

Important and rare mask carved in wood fungus, of the tinder fungus type (fomes fomentarius), of rounded triangular form, with perforated oval eyes, incised mouth and nose in relief, probably added. Length: 30 cm. Height: 18.7 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Very good condition. NOTE: the tinder fungus is a parasite which grows particularly on the birch tree. This tree is highly venerated by numerous cultures with a shamanic tradition, because it is supposed to harbor deities...

Old tribal necklace, made of old red and yellow glass beads and small bronze bells, with a bronze ornament in the shape of three heads to indicate head-taking status. North East India, Naga ethnic group. Length: around 37 cm. Very good condition. Provenance: 1) old European collection, 2) auction sale.

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...

Ancient mask of the traditional esoteric "Nuo" theater, representing the character of General Guanyu, wearing his helmet. Wood, with multiple superimposed polychrome pigments, meant to enhance the mask features, of which part is painted on paper glued to the mask. China, early 19th C. Height: 33 cm. The mask is mounted on a custom stand. Very good condition.

A parcel-gilt silver cricket box and its cover. The body of the box is decorated with embossed flowers in cartouches, and its base is pierced with an intricate lattice design. The lid is also decorated with embossed concentric decorations, at the center with flowers in an octogonal frame, and around the rim with large fowers of various forms. China, early 19th cetury, maybe earlier. Diameter: 7.7 cm. Height: 4.4 cm. Very good condition. NOTE: similar boxes were sold at auction at Christie's in ...

Large and intricately created old tribal necklace, made of old glass beads of various colours and sizes, with bone separates and bronze tiny bronze bells. North East India, Naga ethnic group. Length: around 64 cm. Very good condition. Provenance: 1) old European collection, 2) auction sale.

Superb and well hollowed-out blue striped agate snuff bottle. The stopper is made of bronze, with a beautifully shaped coral top. The spoon is made of bronze. China, 19th Century. Height (without stopper): 2 1/8" (5,4 cm). Tiny chips on rim of neck and base, otherwise very good condition.

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...

Death mask, made from a thin bronze sheet subtly formed as a man's broad face, chased with eyes, a nose, mouth and rounded cheeks, as well as a mustache. Tiny attachment hole on each side of the top (one missing). Fine slightly encrusted green, blue and red patina. China, Liao Dynasty (907-1125). Height: 18,5 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. A few small areas missing, tiny hole on the nose, otherwise good condition. NOTE 1: such masks are rare and can be seen in the Pennsylvan...

Very rare eating set comprising of: 1) a knife with horn handle with iron tip with gilt decor, the blade itself beautifully forged and decorated with incised lotus design on one side and inlaid gold stylized dragon on the other side; 2) a nicely shaped wood sheath covered with red colored shark skin and with a farming made of iron lavishly decorated with incised and gilt floral designs; 3) a pair of iron chopsticks; 4) three toothpicks made of iron with nice decoration on tip. This set belonged...

Superbly cast bronze belt hook with a finely detailed dragon head at its top with gold and silver eyes, ears and nose, and with gold and silver inlaid geometric designs on the rest of the body. A knob at the back for attachment to a belt. Nice reddish green age patina, partly encrusted. China, Warring States period. Height: 10.5 cm. Very good condition. Provenance: acquired in 1987 from a reputed Paris dealer specialising in Asian antiques. IMPORTANT NOTE: this unique object will be exported ...

Superb and rare mask with a very refined carving, representing a chief, with detailed coiffe, eyes, mouth, beard and scarifications. Wood, with fine patina. R.D. Congo, Bena Lulua or Luluwa ethnic group, early 20th century. Height: 35.5 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Obvious signs of age, otherwise very good condition. Provenance: old Paris collection. Reference: The Berlin Ethnologic Museum owns a Luluwa figure representing a chief, made of wood, 74 cm high, 19th century, ac...

Very rare complete skull of an orang-outang, decorated with carved typical geometric designs and with the threatening face of a god or a genie on the forehead. The skull has kept its lower jaw which is attached to it with a sliced bamboo tie. The age patina is beautiful. Indonesia, Borneo Island, Dayak Peoples. Height: around 6 1/2" (about 16,5 cm). Very good condition. IMPORTANT: export to the European Community countries only.

Long temple banner, also called "bridge painting" hand painted on paper representing Taoist deities in all sorts of situations. A stick is affixed on both ends. China, mid 19th century, Yao ethnic group, south-west China. Length: 4.12 m. A few restorations and losses, otherwise good condition.

Buddhist Stupa mounted on an elephant. The stupa is composed of four parts which were carved separately in rock crystal. Graeco-Buddhist art, Gandhara, ca. 3rd century. Height: 8.8 cm. Old accident locally restored, otherwise very good condition. A rare piece.

Important embossed high content (+800) silver bowl, superbly decorated with detailed legendary/religious characters in niches all around the body, surrounded and surmounted by foliage design and resting on a stylised lotus decor. Height: 9.8 cm, diameter 10.4 cm, weight: 259 gr. Burma, late 19th century. Excellent condition. Provenance: acquired from a Bangkok (Thailand) antique dealer in 1978.

A figure of Avalokiteshvara, with four arms, standing, wearing a short "sampot" carved with parallel pleats and secured with a jeweled belt, hair arranged in a cylindrical topknot centered by a diminutive figure of Buddha Amithaba. Weathered sandstone. Cambodia, Khmer period, Bayon Style, 13th century. Height: 53 cm. Mounted on a custom stand. Arms and legs partly missing, small chips on top, otherwise good condition. Provenance: old French collection. IMPORTANT: Please consult us on the ship...

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.