Catalog (306)

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 ...

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.

Silver alloy opium box, lavishly decorated on all its sides with relief designs representing a nobleman with his servant in a park, flowers, birds (on the lid), and two inscriptions. Partly erased artist mark beneath. China, 19th century. Height: 6.2 cm. Very good condition.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Pair of ancient paintings on cotton, with polychrome colours and gold. The first painting represents a noble man in formal attire and sitting on a throne. The second painting represents a noble lady, in formal attire, sitting on an throne . Sizes 95 X 49 cm for both paintings. Very fine details and delicate rendering of faces and textiles. China, Qing Dynasty, 19th century. Acquired from a Hong Kong antique dealer in 1987.

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...

Extraordinary, rare and very old ancestral statue, "korwar", carved from single piece of wood representing a standing human figure on a rounded base with a symbolically oversized skull head, with a lodging on top to accommodate a real partial ancestor skull. Two small dieties figures were carved in relief on the sides of the skull. Addionally, the right arm of the human figure was carved separately and affixed to the korwar with a tenon. Korwar figures represent ancestor spirits that are hig...

Household protection mask, flat, of squarish shape, with rounded forehead incised with stylized hair design, very small incised highly stylized ears, small pierced through round eyes, long nose, rectangular pierced through mouth showing teeth, roundish short chin. Wood, with partly encrusted brown patina. Himalayan Region, early 19th century, probably earlier. Height: 11 3/4" (29,7 cm). The mask is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand which enhances its strange beauty. Erosion at base of chin,...

Nuo theater mask representing the smiling Tudigong, the god of the soil and of cereals in ancient Chinese mythology, wearing a formal cap. Wood, with traces of lacquer, fine dark patina. China, early 19th century, maybe older. Height: 11 1/4" (28,5 cm). The mask is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Old local restorations from top to bottom, otherwise good condition.

Architectural element (part of a beam, or a corner), nicely carved in relief and representing Garuda, the vehicle of Hindu god Vishnu, half-bird, half-man, in his anthropomorphic appearance. Heavy wood (probably from the Southern part of Nepal), dark patina. Nepal, 19th century or earlier. Height: 13" (34 cm); The piece is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. A few chips, otherwise very good condition.

Tsuba with a decoration in strong relief of a dragon among clouds. Iron, with heavy oxidization. Japan, mid Edo Period. Height: 3 1/16" (8 cm). Despite obvious signs of age, very good condition.

Small tsuba (probably meant for a wakizashi), with a decoration in rief of a bird flying over waves. Eroded and oxidized iron. Japan, mid Edo period. Height: 2 11/16" (6,7 cm). Very good condition.

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.

Very old agate snuff bottle with of beige color with nice white inclusions in some areas. Silvered bronze stopper with large turquoise inlay, copper spoon. China, early 19th century, maybe earlier. Height (without stopper): 2 6/16" (5,8 cm). Very good condition.

Snuff bottle of rectangular shape with nice beveled sides. Jade, with beautiful brown inclusions. Silver stopper with coral inlays, silver spoon. China, early 19th century. Height (without stopper): 2 11/16" (6,7 cm). Tiny chip at base, otherwise good condition. Ex. old French collection.

Ancient censer, of circular shape, resting on three feet, decorated on all sides with dragons in relief "chasing the pearl" and, on two sides, with dragon heads. Bronze, fine green patina. Reign mark beneath, probably apocryphal (Ming Dynasty, Xuande reign). China, early 19th century. Height: 3 1/4" (8,5 cm). Diameter: 5 4/8" (14,5 cm). Very good condition.

Head of Bhairava with a fierce expression, wearing a crown of skulls, with flying hair. A small opening in the mouth allowed the insertion of a pipe (now gone), through which consecrated beer was flowing. Two loops at the back for attachment. Wood, with traces of red ritual material. Nepal, 19th century, maybe earlier. Height: 13" (33 cm). The head is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. 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.

Statue of a taoist dignitary, in formal attire, standing with a martial posture on an elevated base. Votive box still closed at the back. Wood, with remnants of superimposed layers of polychrome and gold painting. China, 19th century. Height: 13 " (32,5 cm). Left hand partly chipped, old insect infestation (no more danger), otherwise good condition.

A superb tea kettle, its body made of copper, its handle and spout made of bronze and cast in the shape of dragons. On the lid , around the neck and at the base of the spout, a silver repoussé floral decoration. A chain links the lid to the body. Tibet, 19th century. Height:10 1/4" (26 cm). Obvious signs of use and age, otherwise very good condition. NOTE: The kettle is not cleaned: our principle is always to leave the patina on an object, leaving it to the buyer to decide if it will have to be...

Statue of God Hung Hsien Tati, a protector, also called The Great Emperor, The Immortal, in military garb, holding a bowl in his left hand. He was probably holding a sword in his right hand, but the sword is now missing. The god's right foot is resting on his tiger, while his left foot is resting on a dragon. Votive box (open) at the back. Polychrome wood. China, 19th century. Height: 14 1/4" (36 cm). Good condition.

Gilt silver alloy Buddhist necklace. The decoration is comprising of a repousse design of Buddhas sitting in meditation posture alternating with floral designs. On the lower side similar repousse designs are affixed with loops. This necklace is similar in style to the ones which were made during the Bactriane/Gandharan period. Afghanistan, 19th century or earlier. A few losses, otherwise very good condition.

Rare half-mask of the esoteric Nuo theater representing a demon. Wood, with numerous perforations around the top of the forehead, above the eyes and below the nose in order to represent the hair, eyebrows and mustache. The mask was lacquered originally. It suffered an old accident which split it in two from top to bottom, but was restored a long time ago and locally with resin. Though the mask is more fragile than a mask without any accident, it is nevertheless strong enough now. The piece is ve...

Mask of the "Nuo" esoteric theater representing the character of Master Jiang, a respected professor. Polychrome wood, with animal hair under the nose and around the chin to represent mustache and beard. China, early 19th century. Height: 9 3/8" (24 cm). The mask is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Very good condition. Publications: "Le Masque de Chine" by Yves Crehalet Actes Sud Publisher, France, 2007 (p. 148).

Mask which was used for the protection of a household against evil spirits. Wood, fine dark brown glossy patina. Nepal, early 19th century. 11 3/16" (28,4 cm). Old accidents (visible on photos), otherwise good condition.

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.

Ancient Buddhist book of sutras comprising of two thick lacquered and gilt cardboard covers decorated with 16 Buddhas sitting on a throne with their hands in bhumisparsa mudra posture. The central Buddha is flanked by two smaller buddhas, and at their feet are two small praying monks. The book has 42 X 2 pages (written on two sides) written in black characters. Burma, 19th century. Length: 15 1/2" (39 cm). Traces of old water stains, slight damage on the bottom of one page, other wise very good ...

Mask of the "Nuo" esoteric theater representing the character of Bao Gong, or Judge Bao, also named "King of Inferno" because he also goes down to visit the Inferno to inquire about the souls. The mask was carved on wood on which lacquer and polychrome pigments were painted. China, mid-19th century. Height: 12 1/4" (30,5 cm). Old insect damage (no more danger), otherwise good condition.

A very fine mask of the esoteric "Nuo" theater, representing the character of Tudigong, the God of Cereals, wearing an official cap, his face illuminated by a large smile. Wood, with polychrome colors. China, early 19th century. Height: 11" (28 cm). The mask is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Very good condition.

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...

Flint and tinder pouch, in the shape of an envelope made of leather with a heavy steel lower edge, and a loop on top to allow suspension from the belt. Lavish silver and brass decoration with three turquoises in the middle. Tibet, 19th century. Length: 5 3/4" (14,7 cm). Obvious signs of age, wear and use, otherwise very good condition. A rather scarce object nowadays.

Porcelain vase of bulbous body and elongated neck, with a hand painted decor in blue over a white background representing a phoenix in clouds. China, Qing Dynasty, early 19th century or earlier. Height: 18,4 cm. Tiny chips around the rim and base, otherwise very good condition.