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

Finely cast vajra, or "dorje", with five prongs of which four are coming out of "makara" (water dragons) mouths, and the classic double lotus shaped center. Bronze, nice green patina. Tibet, 18th century.Length: 4 7/16" (11,3 cm). Very good condition.

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.

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...

Elaborate mask of Citipati, made of embossed, gilt and painted, bronze. Partly encrusted reddish-green patina. Tibet, 18th century. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Height (without stand): 26 cm. Very good condition. A very rare piece.

Statue of Kubera, the God of Wealth and Prosperity, wearing diadem and formal attire, sitting on a dais. The god holds the Buddhist umbrella in his right hand, while he holds the mongoose that spits the jewels in his left hand. The statue is made of gilt copper, with a nice green and reddish patina in the recesses. Tibet, 18th century. Height: 4 7/8" (12,3 cm). Very good condition.

Superbly cast bird perch, of curved shape, with two dragon heads and two bird heads in the round. Bronze, with fine greenish patina. Himalayan Region, 18th century. Dimensions: length: 3 3/4" (9,5 cm), height: 2 7/8" (7,3 cm). Excellent condition. A rare and fine piece. Collected In Nepal in 1974 by its former owner.

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.

Beautifully cast, with fine details, miniature statue of Bodhisattva Manjusri, sitting cross-legged on a lotus throne resting on a pedestal with a stylised lion on each side. A stylised book resting on a lotus surmounts his left shoulder, while his hand is holding the sword which kills ignorance. Gilt bronze, with fine patina. Tibet, 18th century. Height: 7.5 cm. Gilding partly missing, otherwise very good condition...

Large mask, of fierce expression, with protruding forehead and nose, and large, pierced through eyes, nostrils and mouth. The mask is covered with numerous small holes around the eyebrows, under the nose and around the chin, in which animal hair has been inserted and glued with wax. Wood, with dark-brown, sometimes encrusted, patina. Asia, Himalayan Region , 18th century, maybe earlier. Height: 14 1/2" (36 cm). The mask is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand which enhances its strange beauty...

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 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

Finely cast small statue of Krishna depicted, according to tradition, as a mischievous boy, reclining and stealing the butter ball. Krishna is wearing a diadem, at the back of which is a loop suggesting that this statue was originally used as a pendant. Bronze, with with partly encrusted reddish green patina, with traces off ritual material. Nepal, 17th century. Length: 4.9 cm. height: 4.3 cm. Very good condition.

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.

Sutra book clasp cast in the shape of an H, with a Tibetan "dorje" (or "vajra") placed horizontally at its center. Square opening at top and bottom for attachment. Bronze, with partly encrusted greenish patina. Tibet, 17th century, maybe earlier. Height: 1 5/8" (4,2 cm). The piece is nicely mounted on a custom wood stand. Erosion due to great age, otherwise good condition. Note: such implement was used to lock the straps that kept a "sutra" book (a book containing Buddhist texts) closed.

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.

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.

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...

Finely cast statue of Bodhidsattva Vajradhara, of typical Newari style, wearing diadem, necklace and dhoti, sitting on a double lotus throne,hands crossed on his breast, his left hand holding the bell, his right hand holding the vajra. Gilt bronze. Nepal, late Malla period, 16th century. Height: 7.2 cm. Gilding partly missing on some areas, otherwise very good condition.