Catalog (551)

A rare gilt bronze plate, with a fine embossed decoration representing, from the center to the rim, an archer, then a geometric circular frame, then six deities heads and six triangles, finally a rim. Bactrian Civilisation, ca. 4th century. Diameter: 21.5 cm. Obvious signs of use and age, otherwise good condition. Provenance: old French collection, acquired in Afghanistan in 1971 by its former owner.

Small gilt bronze altar dedicated to Bodhisattva Padmapani, resting on four pillars, showing the Bodhisattva standing, backed by an aureola, holding a gourd in his left hand, his right hand in appeasing/blessing posture (abhaya mudra). Fine patina. China, Northern Wei Dynasty. Height: 8.3 cm. Very good condition.

Statue of a fertility goddess, standing, wearing a formal coiffe and long pants. Terracotta. Indus Valley Civilisation period (3300-1300 B.C.), Harappa region. Height: 17 cm. Soil encrustations, arms partly missing, otherwise very good condition.

Rare gilt bronze pendant, of circular form, with a finely embossed decoration representing a soldier beating a seated man with a whip, the whole scene surrounded by geometric design. Small cylindrical loop for attachement to a necklace. Nice patina. Bactrian Civilisation, ca. 500 BC. Diameter: 9.3 cm. Very good condition. NOTE: we offer for sale another Bactrian Civilisation gilt bronze pendant which bears number 1-1376.

A pair of square belt plaques, each with a relief decor of a musician sitting cross-legged on a small platform. Each plaque is backed by a flat unadorned plaque affixed to it by four pins, for attachment to the belt. Bronze, with large remnants of its original gilding and reddish green patina in some areas. China, Liao Dynasty Period (916-1125 A.D.). Width: 1 5/16" (3,3 cm). The pair is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Good condition. A fine and rare pair. Note: this pair is part of a set...

Rare and unusual statue of Vairocana Buddha, wearing diadem and monk's robes, sitting on an elevated lotus throne, his right hand in "abhaya mudra", his left hand resting on his lap, in didactic gesture. The front bottom side of the throne shows two small assistants (maybe Buddha's two companions, Ananda and Kasyapa) in relief, sitting in "regal repose". The back of the throne is incised with a long inscription (datation). Bronze, with fine encrusted green patina. China, early Ming Dynasty, prob...

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.

Statue of the Judge of the Souls, standing in formal attire, holding the register of merits and demerits of human souls in both hands. Patinated wood, with traces of the original polychrome pigments in the recesses. China, early Ming Dynasty, probably earlier. Height: 13" (33 cm). Obvious signs of great age, old insect infestation (no more danger), left foot missing, otherwise good condition.

Architectural element carved to represent Garuda, the vehicle of Hindu god Vishnu, half bird half man, holding the Naga snake in his claws. Wood, with light brown patina. Nepal, 15th century or earlier. Height: 6 1/2" (16,5 cm) Length: 8 7/8" (22,5 cm). Strong erosion, old insect infestation (treated, no danger), otherwise good condition.

Small statue of a Buddhist monk standing on a rounded lotus base. Bronze, reddish-green patina. China, Tang Dynasty period (618-907). Height: 1 7/8" (4,7 cm). The statue is mounted on a custom plexi stand. Erosion, otherwise good condition.

Small statue of Taoist God Chao Kung Ming, in military garb, with a martial posture, his right foot resting on his tiger. Votive box at the back (lid missing). Wood, with traces of the original lacquering. China, early Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Height: 10 1/8" (25,7 cm). Traces of an old burn (candle?) several parts missing, strong erosion. NOTE: Marshal Chao Kung Ming, also known as the Marshal of the Dark Altar and the General of the White Tiger, is one of the most favored of the popular relig...

Sutra book cover carved all over its surface with, in the center, a Bhaisajyaguru Buddha ("The Master of Healing") sitting on a lotus throne in a niche, and Tibetan characters on the rest of the surface. On one side, a monster head surrounded with floral designs is carved. Wood with fine dark-brown glossy patina and remnants of red pigments. Tibet, 15th century. Length: 53.5 cm. Erosion and chips, otherwise good condition.

A very finely cast statue of Bodhisattva Manjusri wearing diadem and formal attire, holding a book in his left hand, his right hand in argumentative posture. Manjusri is sitting cross-legged on an elevated lotus throne resting on the back of a stylized lion, itself standing on a rounded base. Bronze with dark-green patina. Traces of an original lacquering and gilding. China, early Ming Dynasty. Height: 6 1/4" (16 cm). Tiny part of diadem missing, otherwise very good condition.

Head of Buddha, surmounted by a flaming usnisa, its face with lowered eyes reflecting a deep inner serenity. Bronze, with slightly encrusted patina of dark-green color. Thailand, Nan Chao Kingdom, 8th to 13th century. The head is nicely mounted on a custom wood stand. Height (without stand): 3 3/4" (9,5 cm). Tip of usnisa missing, otherwise very good condition. NOTE: The Nan Chao Kingdom was located in present-day Yunnan Province, South of China, and was contemporary to the Tang Dynasty, with w...

Statue of Buddha Sakyamuni, in monk's robes, sitting cross-legged on a double lotus throne, his hands in bhumisparsa mudra. Cast iron. China, Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368 A.D.). Height: 23 cm. Old accident at the back of the statue (see photos), strong oxydation due to great age, otherwise good condition. A rather rare piece

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...

Ceramic "tenmoku" bowl of classical shape with thick rim and small base. Fine glazing of "hare fur" type, part of which has run down gracefully to the base. An old accident at a small area on the rim has been restored (see last two photos). China, Song Dynasty period. Height: 4,6 cm. Diameter: 10,7 cm.

A buff-terracotta vessel, with rounded body, tapering cylindrical neck with ribbed collar in relief and everted molded rim, the shoulder incised with concentric circle bands. Thailand, Haripunchai period, ca. 11th century. Height: 23.5 cm. Very good condition. Provenance: Auction sale Sotheby's New York, June 17th 1993, lot # 370. Related catalog available.