Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Indian Subcontinent (154)

Statue of HIndu God Krishna as a playing baby. Bronze, with fine green patina with reddish spots. India, 18th century. Height: 3 3/8" (8,5 cm), length: 3 3/8" (8,5 cm). It seems that the eyes were made of silver pieces affixed to the face, but that they are missing now, leaving a red trace. Very good condition otherwise.

Statue of God Khandoba (an avatar of God Shiva), riding his horse, with his spouse Parvati on his left side, holding his sword with his right hand. Strongly eroded bronze. India, 18th century or earlier. Height: 6 1/2" (16,5 cm). Good condition.

Gilt silver alloy Buddhist necklace. The decoration is comprising of a repousse design of Buddhas sitting in meditation posture alternating with floral designs. On the lower side similar repousse designs are affixed with loops. This necklace is similar in style to the ones which were made during the Bactriane/Gandharan period. Afghanistan, 19th century or earlier. A few losses, otherwise very good condition.

Small Hindu altar representing a female deity sitting on a platform backed by an arch. Bronze, with fine green patina. India, 19th century. Height: 4 1/8" (10,5 cm). The piece is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Very good condition.

Ritual dagger ("phurpa") formerly used by a shaman during ceremonies. The phurpa is made of wood, and is decorated in relief from top to bottom with three deities heads surmounted by a point, above geometric designs of chevrons and knots, themselves on top of the three blades decorated with snake design in relief. Nice dark-brown glossy patina. Several textile knots are affixed on the handle to "protect" the shaman's fingers from the magic strength of the phurpa. Nepal, 19th century...

Architectural element carved to represent Garuda, the vehicle of Hindu god Vishnu, half bird half man, holding the Naga snake in his claws. Wood, with light brown patina. Nepal, 15th century or earlier. Height: 6 1/2" (16,5 cm) Length: 8 7/8" (22,5 cm). Strong erosion, old insect infestation (treated, no danger), otherwise good condition.

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.

Architectural element carved in the shape of a Hindu deity head wearing a formal cap. Nicely patinated wood, with old carpenter nails still inserted in some areas. India, early 18th century. Height: 26 cm. The piece is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Abrasion due to great age, partly chipped nose, otherwise good condition.

Relief fragment in the shape of a Hindu deity head, the face reflecting a serene and slightly smiling expression. Sandstone. India, Ca. 15th century. Height: 6 1/2" (16,5 cm). The piece is mounted on a custom stand. Erosion due to great age, chipped nose, otherwise good condition.

A superb tea kettle, its body made of copper, its handle and spout made of bronze and cast in the shape of dragons. On the lid , around the neck and at the base of the spout, a silver repoussé floral decoration. A chain links the lid to the body. Tibet, 19th century. Height:10 1/4" (26 cm). Obvious signs of use and age, otherwise very good condition...

Superb "tsampa" bowl made of a wood core entirely covered with repoussé silver decorated in relief with the eight Buddhist symbols around its body surmounting a floral design. Beneath, a decoration representing a coiled dragon in relief framed by floral designs. Tibet, 19th century. Height: 2 3/16" (5,7 cm). Diameter: 4 1/2" (11,5 cm). A few dents, obvious signs of age, otherwise very good condition.

Small statue of Hindu God Vishnu, with four arms of which two are holding his attributes, standing on an elevated lotus base. Bronze, fine dark green patina. India, 19th century. Height: 3 1/8" (8 cm) Base slightly bent, otherwise very 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ritual dagger ("phurpa") formerly used by a shaman during religious ceremonies. Wood, with nice dark patina. Textiles attached on top with a chain. Old restoration with a forged metal point on the lower part of the dagger. Nepal, early 19th century. Height: 13 1/4" (32,5 cm). The phurpa is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Good condition.

Architectural element carved in the shape of a water dragon ("makara"). Wood, with fine dark-brown patina. Nepal, 18th century or earlier. Length: 14 1/4" (36 cm); The piece is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. A few chips, 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...

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.

Highly unusual statue of protecting deity or ancestor, its head surmounted by a circular crown which looks like a "stupa" or a "usnisa". The protector is squatting, its hands are in praying posture. Eroded wood. West Nepal. Height: 36" (41 cm). Obvious signs of great age.

Old ritual dagger ("phurpa"), beautifully carved to represent, from top to bottom, a protruding animal head, three deities busts, a stylized "vajra", and finally a stylized "makara" (water dragon) head on the three-blades point. The phurpa is made of wood, with a fine dark-brown patina. Nepal, early 19th century. Height: 9 3/4" (24,8 cm). The piece is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Chips at the top and bottom of the object, otherwise good condition...

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.

Highly unusual phurba lavishly decorated, from top to bottom, with stylized lotus, four deities heads separated by a pitcher and a trident, geometric design, a "makara" head with three Shiva tridents on top and snakes at the tip of the blade. Wood, with nice dark-brown semi-glossy and partly encrusted patina. An iron loop holds a piece of old textile. Nepal, early 19th century. Height: 10 3/4" (27 cm). The piece is nicely mounted o a custom metal stand...

Small altar comprising of a statue of Green Tara sitting in regal repose on a lion, with a small statue of a worshipper on her lower right side, the whole group surmounting an elevated throne on four legs with, at the back, a large mandorla on the upper side of which stands a small Buddha in relief. Ancient inscription at the back of the mandorla (see photo). Bronze, with green and reddish patina in the recesses. India, 16th century or earlier. Height: 5 1/8" (13,4 cm)...

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.

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.

Architectural element (part of a beam, or a corner), nicely carved in relief and representing Garuda, the vehicle of Hindu god Vishnu, half-bird, half-man, in his anthropomorphic appearance. Heavy wood (probably from the Southern part of Nepal), dark patina. Nepal, 19th century or earlier. Height: 13" (34 cm); The piece is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. A few chips, 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...

Very old mask with an elongated face, with moon and sun signs in relief on the forehead, small eyes, long nose, open mouth showing teeth. Wood, with encrusted patina. Nepal, 18th century. Height: 10 1/4" (26,2 cm). The mask is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Old accident from top to bottom restored locally a long time ago, otherwise good condition. Ex. old European collection.