Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian (431)

Statue of Buddha Amithaba in meditating posture, sitting cross-legged on a lotus throne. Gilt wood. China, 18th century. Height: 43.5 cm. Several chips, otherwise good condition.

Large and antique mask representing Bhairava, an avatar of Hindu God Shiva, with a terrifying expression. Wood, with traces of the original plastering and polychromy. Nepal, 17th century. Height: 19" (49 cm). Old accident --- the mask was split in two from top to bottom --- not very skillfully restored locally, strong erosion, otherwise good condition. A rare piece.

Statue of a Taoist deity, in formal attire, standing on a rectangular base on which a chimera or a dog is carved in relief. Two votive boxes, their lids missing, at the back. Wood, nice semi-glossy patina. China, Ming Dynasty period. Height: 12 1/2" (32 cm). The statue is mounted on a custom wood stand. Some loss at the base, chips, otherwise very good condition.

Rectangular shaped belt buckle beautifully carved in relief to represent a dragon "chasing the pearl". Two loops (one missing) at the back for attachment to the belt. Nicely patinated ivory. Length: 1 7/8" (4,7 cm). Erosion, a few chips, otherwise good condition.

Rare and important mask of Defender of the Buddhist Faith, with an aggressive expression, bulging eyes, open mouth showing fangs, sun and moon symbols on forehead, stylized beard. Wood, with traces of kaolin in the recesses. Himalayan Region, Bhutan or Tibet, 18th century, probably earlier. Height: 14 1/2" (38 cm). The mask is mounted on a custom wood stand. Old accidents, erosion, otherwise good condition. Provenance: Old American collection.

Very old and important grotesque mask, with an accentuated grinning expression. Wood, traces of black pigments. Himalayan Region, Arunachal Pradesh, Monpa Sherdukpen Peoples, 18th century, probably earlier. Height: 11 1/8" (28 cm). The mask is mounted on a custom wood stand. Strong erosion, old insect infestation (no danger), otherwise good condition. Provenance: old American collection.

Bust of Buddha, his face reflecting a profound inner serenity. Bronze with encrusted dark and reddish green patina. Thailand, Ayutthaya Period, Ca. 16th century. Height: 8 1/4" (21 cm). The bust is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Good condition. NOTE: a bronze plate was welded to the back of the bust, probably early 20th century, to allow the bust to be attached to a former stand, now gone (see photos). Ex. old French collection.

Very old mask of Defender of the Buddhist Faith, inspired from the God Mahakala, with a terrifying expression meant to ward off evil spirits. Wood, with nice slightly encrusted glossy dark patina. Himalayan Region, Bhutan or Tibet, 18th century, probably earlier. Height: 11" (28 cm). The mask is nicely mounted on a custom wood stand. Very good condition. NOTE: Together with masks # 1-0761 and # 1-0762, this mask was acquired from an old American 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.

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.

Statue of Buddha Amitabha (or "Amitayus"), wearing diadem and sitting cross-legged on a double lotus throne. Amitabha holds a vase containing the nectar of immortality on his lap. Gilt bronze, the face itself is cold-gilt. Tibet, 18th century. Height: 6 1/4" (16 cm). Gilding partly eroded, otherwise very good condition.

Jarlet or bottle, with two ring handles, carved footring with dropped base, celadon glaze on brownish body. Traces of soil encrustations in some areas. Thailand, Sawankhalok kilns, ca. 14th to mid-16th centuries. Height: 4 1/2" (11,2 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.

Small statue of Kuan Yin, in formal attire, sitting in "rajalila asana" (king's posture) on a highly stylized lion, itself resting on a lotus base. Bronze, with large remnants of lacquering and gold paint, nice green patina. China, early Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Height: 6 1/4" (15,8 cm). Chip at the back of the base, small loss on the diadem, otherwise very good condition. A truly beautiful casting.

Shamanic face mask of oval shape, with minimalistic features. Wood, traces of black resin under the nose for attachment of a mustache made of animal hair (now missing). Nice dark patina. Nepal, early 19th century, probably earlier. Height: 9 1/2" (24 cm). The mask is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Old accidents and chips, otherwise good condition.

Statue of Bodhisattva Manjusri, wearing formal robes and diadem, his hands in a rare posture that is similar to "buddhapatra mudra" (mudra of the bowl), sitting cross-legged. Lacquered and gold painted bronze. Tibet, 17th century, probably earlier. Height: 6 3/4" (17,2 cm). Old accident on left forearm and base, otherwise good condition.

Statue of Buddha, in formal attire, wearing diadem, his hands in didactic posture, sitting cross-legged on a double lotus throne. Lacquered and gilt bronze. Tibet, 16th/17th century. Height: 7 3/4" (19,7 cm). Tiny chips on base, otherwise very good condition.

Head of a lohan (or "arhat"), one of the 18 disciples of Buddha, wearing mustache and goatee, his face displaying a severe expression. Wood, with remnants of the original plastering (used to support a former polychrome painting, now gone), Eyes made of black glass. China, early 18th century, probably earlier. Height: 12" (30 cm). The head is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Some chips, otherwise very good condition.