Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Indian Subcontinent: Himalayas (104)

Architectural element --- probably the end of a beam --- carved in the shape of a stylized lion. Wood, with fine dark brown patina. Nepal, 18th century, maybe earlier. Length: 22 cm. Height: 10.5 cm. The back of the element was partly attacked by insects, but there is no more danger. The element is nicely counted on a custom stand. Good condition.

Small mask representing the face of a "lakhe", an celestial entity which protects humans and households against evil spirits. Wood, with beautiful dark patina. Himalayan Region, 18th century. Height: 5 1/4" (13,5 cm). The mask is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Old restoration at the back of the right eye, erosion due to age, otherwise very good condition. A rare piece in this size.

Statue of Buddha Amithaba or Amitayus, wearing an unusual diadem, jewelry and dhoti, sitting cross-legged on an elevated throne backed by a flaming mandorla, holding the elixir of immortality in his hands. Bronze, with a fine reddish-green patina. This statue is a Sino-Tibetan work, dating late 18th century/early 19th century. Height: 18.5 cm. Very good condition. Provenance: acquired from a Hong Kong antique dealer in 1978.

Statue of a standing guardian lion, cast in the typical style of Newar statuary. Bronze, dark green patina with reddish areas. Nepal, 18th century. Height: 8 cm. Length: 8 cm. Old accident on the tail, otherwise very good condition.

Lime box of round shape, its lid with embossed decor of the Buddhist Wheel of the Law on top, foliage design under it, surmounting a series of dragons in clouds below, the whole on an elaborate tiny lotus decor. The sides of the lid are decorated with a geometric incised design of a cross and a kind of Greek key. The sides of the body of the box are also decorated with this cross and Greek key design. Beneath the box, an incised decor of Buddhist svastika and flowers...

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.

Mirror finely cast in the shape of a flaming "triratna", its stand framed by two small "apsaras". Bronze, with nice green and red patina. Traces of "tika" on some areas. Nepal, 18th century. Height: 20 cm. Erosion due to age, otherwise very good condition.

Gilt iron plate, of rounded triangular shape, finely cast in openwork, to represent a dragon in relief in clouds. Four coral inlays enhance the beauty of the plate. This plate is likely to have been part of a saddle decoration. Tibet, 18th century. The plate is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Length: 15.6 cm. Height: around 9 cm. Oxydation at the back due to age, otherwise very good condition.

Large mask representing the face of a Protector of the Buddhist Faith ("gompo"), with its typical terrifying expression. Wood, with beautiful dark glossy patina and traces of original polychrome pigments. Old accidents and old and local restorations on top of mask (no danger). Bhutan or Tibet, early 18th century, probably earlier. Height: 14" (35,5 cm). The mask is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Good condition. A rare piece...

Small stela dedicated to Bhairava. The Hindu god is standing on a corpse and holding the snake ("naga") in his right hand, a skull cap ("kapala") in his left hand, and his weapons in his other two hands. Black stone with remnants of ritual material. Nepal, circa 15th century. Height: 5 3/4" (14,5 cm). Mounted on a custom stand. Erosion, otherwise good condition

Museum quality and very rare group of three statues representing Indra and his consorts. Indra is sitting in "vajrasana" on a lotus throne, his left hand resting on his knee , his right hand in "vitarka mudra". Indra has his forehead showing the third eye horizontally, and is wearing an elaborate crown, jewels and a "dhoti". A lotus is attached to each shoulder...

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.

Fine statue of Buddha, in monk's robes, standing on a circular base with a tenon beneath, his left hand holding the robe, his right arm alongside his leg. Bronze, with remnants of the original gilding. Nepal, 15th to 16th century, maybe earlier. Height: 8.3 cm. The statue is mounted on a plexi stand. Very good condition. NOTE: collected in situ in 1974.

Finely cast statue of Green Tara, of typical Newari style, wearing diadem and dhoti, sitting on a double lotus throne, a lotus flower on each shoulder, her left hand in "vitarka mudra", her right hand in "varada mudra", her right foot resting on a lotus flower protruding from the throne. Gilt bronze. Nepal, late Malla period, 16th century. Height: 8.3 cm. Gilding partly missing on some areas, otherwise very good condition.

Miniature statue of Buddha Gautama, in formal attire, wearing diadem, a lotus flower beside each shoulder, his hands in "dharmacakra mudra", sitting cross-legged on a lotus throne. Bronze, with fine reddish-green patina. Tibet, 17th century, maybe earlier. Height: 4.9 cm. Erosion due to great age, otherwise very good condition...

Small architectural element, probably part of a tympanum ("torana") of a temple or palace door, of circular shape, carved in relief to represent the Hindu mythical bird Garuda head, flanked with wings, holding the Naga snake in its claws. Wood, with dark-brown encrusted patina. Remnants of red pigment (tika?) on various areas. Mortises at top and bottom sides. Nepal, 17th century, probably earlier. Length: 13 1/4" (34 cm). The piece is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand...

Small statue of Green Tara, wearing diadem, necklace and dhoti, sitting "at ease" on a double lotus throne. Her right hand holds the "cintamani", the jewel which "grants wishes or satisfies all desires". Bronze, with fine green patina in the recesses. Tibet, 16th century or earlier. Height: 3 3/8" (8,5 cm). Strong erosion due to very old age, tiny losses at the base of the throne, otherwise very good condition. NOTE: Green Tara is seen as the Buddhist protector against all dangers.

Statue of a standing eagle with an alert posture, its beak slightly open. Gilt bronze, encrusted green patina in some areas. Tibet, 17th century. Height: 3 1/8" (8 cm). The statue is nicely mounted on a custom black plexi stand. Very good condition. A rare piece.