Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian (431)

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...

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 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.

Very rare and old mask, finely carved to represent Hanuman, half monkey half god, the deified hero of the famous Ramayana epic, with a vivid expression. Wood, with remnants of polychromy. Bhutan/Arunchal Pradesh, early 19th century. Height: 20.8 cm. Nicely mounted on a custom stand. Old insect infestation (no more danger), small crack at chin level, otherwise good condition.

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...

Very rare heavy hardwood mask, with strong features in relief, an incised sacred trident on its forehead (the traditional weapon of Hindu god Shiva), round metal added eyes, large nose and mouth. Beautiful age patina, with traces of original pigments meant to enhance the mask features. Himalayan region, early 20th century. Height: 27 centimeters. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Old accidents which do not impair the mask beauty and unique quality, otherwise very good condition

Shaman's bracelet used during rituals meant to favor crops. Tha bracelet is decorated with two stylised men, each standing behind a plough drawn by two oxen. The rest of the decor consists in stylised plants and a circle (the sun?). The bracelet is made of bronze, with a beautiful patina. Himalayan Region, early 19th century, probably earlier. Inside diameter: around 8 cm. Very good condition. A very rare piece.

Very rare architectural element beautifully carved in the shape of a celestial being, maybe Garuda, flying and holding a vessel in his hands. Wood, with dark-brown patina. Nepal, 18th century, maybe earlier. Height: 14,5 cm. The piece is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Old insect infestation (treated, no danger), some losses, otherwise very good condition.

A very rare small box, made of embossed brass, lavishly decorated with various designs on its lid and body. On the lower part of its body the design is a series of "niches" containing effigies of deities and also the portrait in profile of an important person, probably a king. Superb dark-green and reddish patina. Tibetan characters beneath. Tibet, 17th century. Height: 3 3/8" (8,7 cm). il. Superbe patine.

Lozenge-shaped gilt bronze plate, embossed to represent a concentric decoration of stylized lotuses and geometric design with, at the center, a coral intaglio in relief representing the Hindu God Ganesha. Height: 2 3/8" (6,1 cm), length: 3 11/16" (9,3 cm). The plate is nicely mounted on a custom wood stand. Beautiful green and reddish partly encrusted patina. Very good condition. A rare piece.

Belt hook, or fibula, made of glass, with a finely detailed decoration in relief, largely influenced by the Warring States Period style, and representing, from top to bottom, first a large dragon head, then two chimeras side by side, then, at the end, a large tiger head. Nicely incised knob at the back. China, Qing Dynasty, 18th century, maybe earlier. Length: 19.8 cm. Remnants of soil encrustations. Very good condition. A very rare object.

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...

Finely carved mask representing a demon, with expressive features, a protruding forehead bearing a third eye, protruding eyes, beaked nose, open mouth showing teeth. Wood, with remnants of polychrome painting. China, Qing Dynasty, early 19th century or earlier. Height: 23 cm. The mask,is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Old accidents and insect infestations (no danger), otherwise good condition. A very rare piece.

Statue of Buddha Sakyamuni, in monk's robes, sitting on a lotus, his hands in didactic posture ("vitarka ludra"). Bronze, with fine patina. China, early Ming dynasty, Hongwu period (1368-1398). Height: 13 cm. Small accident on nose, otherwise very good condition. A very rare piece. NOTE: similar examples of Buddha statues of this period exist, though rare, for example a gilt-bronze Buddha, dat.1398 Hongwu, H 5.8 W 3.8 cm, East Asian Art Museum, Bath [exh.cat. Bath 2000, No...

Important mask of Mahakala, with a fierce expression, his forehead surmounted by a sort of diadem sustaining a range of tiny skulls . Finely embossed iron, with detailed features, and polychrome pigments to enhance some of the mask parts (eyes, teeth, skulls). A thin textile of red colour is affixed to the inside of the mask, probably to protect the dancer's face. Tibet, early 19th century.Height: 24 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Very good condition.

Rare mask of Mahakala, cast in great detail, with a fierce expression, the head surmounted by a crown of skulls, the open mouth showing fangs. Iron with polychrome paint. Tibet, early 20th century. Height: 17 cm. Width: 17 cm. Painting partly flaked, some oxidation, oitherwise very good condition.

Miniature Buddhist stupa carved from rock cristal, comprising of a central stupa surrounded by four lateral smaller stupas, standing on a square base. The piece is made of twelve parts which were carved separately as shown on photos # 9 and 10. Gandhara Graeco-Buddhist art, 1st to 5th century. Height: 9.8 cm. A few stains due to a prolonged stay underground, slight abrasion, otherwise very good condition.

Statue of a snarling lion holding a smaller lion under its front paws, resting on a rectangular base. Bronze, with fine dark green patina with reddish areas. China, Ming Dynasty. Length: 6.7 cm. Height: 5.7 cm. Very good condition.