Catalog (310)

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...

Beautiful 4-string lute ("saranghi"), the top in the shape of a head holds the four keys, the body itself is made of two parts of heart shape. Wood, with nice dark-brown glossy patina. The lower part is covered with animal skin affixed with tiny wood pegs. Himalaya, 19th century. Height: 22 1/4" (55,6 cm). The lute is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Obvious signs of use and age, otherwise very good condition. NOTE: this piece was collected in the early 1970s, during my 20 year stay in As...

Unusual small dagger, its handle made of horn and carved in the shape of a forearm and fist. The strangely shaped iron blade bears the craftsman's initials. Indonesia, Borneo Island. Length: 7 3/8" (18,7 cm). The piece is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Signs of long use, otherwise good condition.

Highly unusual statue of protecting deity or ancestor, its head surmounted by a circular crown which looks like a "stupa" or a "usnisa". The protector is squatting, its hands are in praying posture. Eroded wood. West Nepal. Height: 36" (41 cm). Obvious signs of great age.

Old scroll painting on paper representing a samurai resting beside a well. Signature on the right side. Japan, 19th century. Total height: 170 cm. Good condition.

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...

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.

Old Incense burner of circular shape resting on three feet, decorated on all sides with dragons in relief. The two handles are in the shape of agressive dragons. Bronze, with green patina in the recesses. Reign mark beneath, probably apocryphal (Ming Dynasty, Xuande reign). China, 19th century. Height: 3 3/8" (8,7 cm). Diameter: 5 7/8" (15 cm). Very good condition.

Antique temple banner consisting in a long sort of ribbon made of paper on which a series of religious scenes showing Taoist gods and chimeras are hand painted with polychrome pigments. The banner is around 10 m long by 27 cm high, and is affixed to a wood stick on both sides. The piece is signed Zheng Fa and dated Xian Feng 6 (1855). It is coming from the South West region of China, and was painted by an artist who was a member of the Yao ethnic minority. The banner has suffered damages due to ...

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.

Statue of Xuan Wu, or Zhen Wu, God of the North, in formal attire, sitting on a throne, with his two attributes, the snake and the tortoise. Wood with polychrome painting. China, 19th century Height: 13" (32,5 cm). Colors partly chipped, otherwise very good condition. NOTE: Xuan Wu is one of the highest ranking Taoist deities.

Small mask of the Kyogen Theater, with a strong expression. Lacquered wood. Eyes made of glass painted inside. Japan, 19th century. Height: 16,5 cm. Several small chips, otherwise very good condition.

Lavishly decorated and partly gilt silver alloy bracelet set with red glass cabochons and relief geometric designs. Tekke Turkmen culture, Afghanistan. Height: 7,3 cm. Very good condition.

Salt box with its lid, of rectangular shape, decorated with incised geometric design on its sides, and geometric, partly in relief, design on its lid. An opening on the lid allows a spoon (now missing) to rest inside the box. Nepal, 19th century. Length: 18,7 cm. Height: 11 cm. Some erosion due to age, otherwise very good condition. Collected in Nepal in the early seventies.

Small scroll painting on paper representing two Taoist gods, the one on top wearing a mandarin attire, holding a banner and riding a white bird, the one on the lower side in military garb, riding a tiger, holding a banner in his left hand. China, mid 19th century. Height: 42 cm. Obvious signs of great age, a few losses, otherwise good condition.

Belt hook nicely carved in the shape of a dragon. Light green jade. China, 19th century or earlier. Length: 9,2 cm. Remnants of soil encrustations suggesting a rather long stay underground, otherwise very good condition.

Mottled green jade snuff bottle, of rounded flat shape. Silver and bronze stopper with a coral insert on its top. Spoon missing. China, 19th century. Height of the bottle without its top: 6,3 cm. Tiny chip on the rim, otherwise very good condition.

Rosewood ("hongmu") of rectangular shape, its sides decorated with openwork carving representing classical geometric designs. China, 19th century. Length: 34 cm. Width: 16 cm. Height: 6.7 cm. Very good condition. NOTE: the table still bears the seal of the Chinese Cultural Relics and Antiques Department.