Catalog: Antiques (464)

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...

Silver pot with an elaborate embossed decoration consisting in a dragon on its handle, a "makara" on its spout, Buddhist symbols on its neck, and dragons and stylized lotus on its body. Tibet, 19th century. Height: 14.5 ccm. Very good condition.

Large wood stand of circular shape resting on five feet. The stand was carved from a unique piece of heavy high quality wood. China, Qing Dynasty, 19th century. Inside diameter: 14 cm. Height: 7 cm. Very 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.

Rectangular shaped fragment of a Persian miniature painted on an ivory plate representing horsemen hunting deer. The plate is affixed on a green velvet fabric and framed under glass. The frame itself is made of a fine wood and mother-of-pearl marquetry. Height of the miniature: 10,2 cm. Total height of the frame: 16,5 cm. Tiny old restoration on top of the frame, otherwise very good condition. Provenance: Auction sale by Primardeco in Toulouse, october 3rd 2012.

Finely cast gilt bronze statue of Hindu god Vishnu, wearing a diadem with a flaming aureola at the back, necklaces bracelets and a dhoti, holding his attributes with his four arms. The god is standing on and backed by the Naga. India, late 19th century. Height: 15 cm. Very good condition. NOTE: Images of Vishnu typically depict him with four arms, holding his attributes: the club, wheel, conch and lotus flower. The club is a symbol of Vishnu's divine power, and the wheel, a symbol of the sun...

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...

Pair of ivory buttons of square shape, with a finely carved relief decoration representing each a different Disciple of Buddha ("arhat"). Japan, 19th century. Height: 2.8 cm each. Small chips at the attachment knobs at the back, otherwise very good condition.

Very old anthropomorphic statue of a deity protecting a household, staying on a circular base, with an expressive face and hands in praying posture. Eroded wood, age patina. Nepal, 19th century. Height: 33.3 cm. The statue is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Collected in the early seventies in the Himalayan region.

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.

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 altar ("zushi" in Japanese) made of wood, lacquered in black outside, gilt inside. The locking system as well as the hinges are made of beautifully decorated bronze. The altar contains a gilt wood statue of Buddha sitting cross-legged in meditation posture on an elevated throne backed by an aureola. Japan, 19th century. Total height: 8" (20,5 cm). Flaked lacquer at the base, otherwise very good condition.

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.

Statue of a household protecting ancestor, sitting on a rounded base, his head with an unusual pointed top, his hands in "namaste" posture. Wood, with fine age patina. Nepal, 19th century. Height: 35 cm. Strong abrasion due to great age, otherwise good condition. Provenance: collected in Kathmandu in 1974.

Paper fan, mounted on rib and guard flat sticks, made of wood nicely lacquered and gold painted with elaborate human, geometric and floral designs. The paper part is made of two concentric bands, richly decorated on both sides with polychrome, gold and silver hand painted miniature scenes showing different characters on various situations. The heads of the characters are painted on ivory, and their garments are made of colored silk, all glued on the paper base...

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.

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.

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...