Catalog (551)

Rare, unusual in this form, Himalayan shamanic mask, with eyes and mouth wide open, expressive features. This mask is strangely similar in aspect to antique Greek theater masks, though there is no known connection between both areas. The mask is made of wood, with a very fine dark brown glossy patina and obvious signs of great age, with traces of the oritginal colouring. Period: 19th century. Height: 29.5 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Good condition. Collected in situ in 1974...

Statue of Buddha, in monk's robes, his beautiful, slightly smiling face reflecting a profound inner serenity, standing on what must have been a round lotus throne, now missing. Wood, with large remnants of the original lacquering and gilding, and numerous glass inlays. Glass eyes. Burma, 19th century, maybe earlier. Height: 14 1/2" (37 cm). The statue is nicely mounted on a tall custom wood stand which enhances its beauty. The stand itself is 8 1/4" (20,5 cm) high, so the whole statue and stand ...

Mask of the "Nuo" esoteric theater representing the character of Heshang, the Buddhist monk, with very expressive features. The mask was carved on wood, then paper was affixed all over its surface, on which polychrome pigments were painted. China, early 19th century, probably earlier. Height: 9 13/16" (25 cm). The mask is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Paper partly flaked, and consequently the colors, otherwise very good condition.

A fine cricket cage, composed of a body made from a gourd and a rim and lid made of ivory. The lid itself is nicely carved to represent a lotus and foliage around surmounting an openwork geometric design. Its silk case, partly damaged, is joined to the cage. China, 19th century. Length: 7.8 cm. Very good condition.

Relief fragment, sculpted in grey schist, with two levels, the upper level representing Buddha, under an arcade, sitting in royal repose on a dais, and flanked by three disciples on his right, the lower level representing the bust of a Bodhisattva under a vault. Gandhara graeco-Buddhist art, ca. 3rd century. Height: 21 cm. Width: 15 cm. Thickness: around 6.3 cm. The relief is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Good condition.

A fine cricket cage, composed of a body made from a gourd and a base, rim and lid made of ivory. The lid itself is nicely carved to represent a bird among flowers. China, 19th century. Length: 3 1/2" (9 cm). Very good condition.

A half part of a military tally, finley cast in the form of a crouching tiger. Inside the tally is a protruding character and two round holes. Beneath the tally, nine incised halves of characters.The tally is made of bronze, with remnants of the original gilding and a fine patina. China, Early Ming dynasty or earlier. Height: 4.2 cm. Length: 8.2 cm. Very good condition. NOTE: a tally was used to command troops in ancient China. A messenger entrusted with delivering the emperor's orders carried...

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 ...

Very well hollowed out and beautiful moss agate snuff bottle, with a "tao tie" mask carved in relief on each side. Bronze stopper with turquoise inlays, bone spoon. China, 19th century. Height (without stopper)/ 2 1/2" (6,4 cm). Tiny chips around rim, otherwise very good condition. NOTE: this snuff bottle is so light that is is supposed to float on the surface of water...

Small figurine representing Kuan Yin, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, in formal attire and wearing elaborate diadem and necklaces, sitting cross-legged on an elevated throne around which reclining lions are showing. Bronze, with dark reddish-green patina. China, Northern Wei or Sui Dynasty. Height: 2 3/4" (7 cm). Strong erosion due to great age, right hand partly chipped (old accident) otherwise good condition. An extremely rare object.

Finely cast, with nice details, miniature statue of bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, standing on a lotus base, his left hand holding what seems to be a gourd. Bronze, with encrusted reddish green patina, with traces of the original gilding. China, Tang Dynasty. Height: 5.6 cm. The statue is nicely mounted on a custom wood stand. 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...

Beautifully decorated book cover, of very refined gilded hammered copper on wood, with, on one side, two dragons with the "Ratna", or "Mani" (the Jewel of the Buddhist doctrine) in the middle, surrounded by stylised cloud motifs and framed in lotus design. On the other side, three handpainted Buddhist figures representing Manjushri, Chenresig and the Mahakala. These paintings have withstood the test of time a little less well than the front side. Otherwise, the book cover is in very good condit...

Very large mask representing the Hindu god Hanuman, one of the heroes of the Ramayana epic. Small ears, eyes in relief, long nose and upper jaw, open pierced through mouth showing teeth, large lower jaw. Two large holes at eye level to allow the bearer of the mask to see. Wood, with brown semi-glossy patina. Himalayan Region, early 20th century, maybe earlier. Length: 13 3/4" (35 cm). The mask is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand which enhances its strange beauty and aspect. Very good condi...

Pair of plaques in the shape of not entirely identical snarling tigers, with a hole at shoulder level for attachment. Bronze, with red, blue and green partly encrusted patina. China, Han Dynasty Period, Ordos Culture. Length: 3 1/2" and 3 5/8" (8,7 and 9,1 cm). The pair is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. A crack on the smallest piece, otherwise very good condition. Ex. old French collection.

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.

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.

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.