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

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.

A set of three 19th century Indian jeweler's moulds, made of bronze, each one representing a Hindu deity. The first one shows a female deity, maybe Sarasvati, with four arms, holding her four attributes in her hands, riding a horse and surrounded by foliage. An inscription is incised at the back of the mould. Height: 6.3 cm. The second mould shows god Khandoba (a form of Shiva), holding a sword, riding a horse together with his wife, and accompanied by a dog running under the horse...

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.

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.

Ancient mask, beautifully carved in heavy wood, with realistic features, representing the face of a snarling tiger. Wood, with remnants of the handpainted polychrome decoration. India, Gujarat or Maharashtra, Kukana tribes, early 20th century. Height: 27 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Old accident at lower jaw, very well restored locally. Acquired in 1974.

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.

Large mask representing the face of Mahakala with its typical terrifying expression, the features being carved in relief and the mouth in openwork showing teeth . At the top of the back of the head a small cylinder has been carved on a small platform. This cylinder was meant to contain a horse hair (often of white coulour), to decorate the mask. Wood, with obvious signs of great age and remains of woodworm attack (no more danger). Old accidents and old and local restorations on top of mask...

Statue of a guardian, with a large mustache, wearing a turban --- suggesting that the man belongs to the Sikh community --- and a uniform. Wood, with strong abrasion due to great age. India, 18th/19th century. Height: 37 cm. The statue is mounted on a custom stand. Arms and feet missing, otherwise good condition.

Statue of a sitting protector, with squarish features, his hands in praying posture. Strongly eroded wood, with remnants of kaolin on some areas. Nepal, 19th C. Height: 39 cm. The statue is mounted on a custom stand. NOTE: collected in 1974 by its former owner.

Pair of small Shiva lingam carved in dark marble. The first one, smaller, has part of its aureola missing. The other one is taller and more elaborate, with a double aureola and the Naga snake surmounting the lingam, and has small chips. India, early 19th century, maybe earlier. Heights: 6.7 and 9.3 cm.

Finely cast unusual statue of Hindu god Kartikeya, wearing jewels and a loincloth, standing on a stylised lotus.The right hand of this statue is poised as if holding a staff and the left hand rests on his thigh. He is seen as a mendicant with just a loincloth on. This form of Kartikeya is also called Dandayudhapani (the one who holds staff in hand).Bronze, with nice age patina. India, early 19th century, maybe earlier. Height: 19.3 cm. Very good condition...

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.

Architectural element with an unusual decoration representing a bird with a human head. Wood, fine age patina. India, early 19th century, maybe earlier. Height: 18.8 cm. Very good condition. A rare piece.

Temple or palace architectural element, of corner shape, representing Garuda, the Hindu celestial being, in relief, wearing wings and holding the Snake. Strongly eroded wood. Nepal, 15th to 16th century. Height: 12 1/4" (31 cm). The piece is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. good condition. NOTE: this piece is rather heavy, so we recommend to consult us for shipping cost.

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.

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 architectural element with a finely carved relief decor showing a couple in erotic embrace. Wood, with nice patina. Nepal, early 17th century maybe earlier. Height: 26,5 cm. The piece is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Erosion due to great age, otherwise very good condition.

Architectural element, of triangular form, finely carved in relief to represent a celestial being, half chimera half human, carrying a banner and surrounded by clouds. Wood, age patina. Nepal, 18th century. Length: 36.5 cm. Nicely mounted on a custom stand. Good condition.

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.

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.

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.

Wooden ornament, carved in relief on wood, representing Hindu god Kartikeya, with six heads, holding a spear in his right hand, riding his peacock, in a niche, flanked by two other niches in which are shown his two wives, Devasena and Valli. The two other niches are surmounted each by a kala makara (dragon) head. The whole scene is resting on two feet, each decorated in relief with a foliage design. India, 19th century, maybe earlier. Height: 49 cm...

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.

Circular shaped seal, with a central design representing a standing horse surrounded by geometric motives. Small loop at its back. Bronze, with partly encrusted reddish green patina. Indus Valley Civilisation, Bronze Age. Diameter: 2.9 cm. Very good condition.

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.

Brush case, nicely embossed with an openwork decoration representing three stylised Buddhist vajras on either side, surrounded with a foliage and geometric design. Silver alloy, with a fine age patina. The center of each vajra must have contained a coral or turquoise to enhance the beauty of the case. The case was made in Tibet in the 19th century, maybe earlier. Length: 33.5 cm. 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.

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...

Salt box with its lid, of rectangular shape, decorated with incised geometric design on its sides, and geometric, partly in relief, design on its lid. An opening on the lid allows a spoon (now missing) to rest inside the box. Nepal, 19th century. Length: 18,7 cm. Height: 11 cm. Some erosion due to age, otherwise very good condition. Collected in Nepal in the early seventies.

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...

Flint and tinder pouch, in the shape of an envelope made of leather with a heavy steel lower edge, and a loop on top to allow suspension from the belt. Lavish silver and brass decoration with three turquoises in the middle. Tibet, 19th century. Length: 5 3/4" (14,7 cm). Obvious signs of age, wear and use, otherwise very good condition. A rather scarce object nowadays.

Head of Citipati, made of embossed bronze with gilding on the front and red painting to enhance the eyes. Fine green patina in the recesses and on the back. The head is pierced on its top and lower side to allow not to be worn on a necklace that was used by a Tibetan lama or oracle particularly during the Cham ceremonies and dances. Tibet, early 19th century. Height: 7.5 cm. Very 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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

Finely cast gilt bronze statue of Hindu god Vishnu, wearing a diadem with a flaming aureola at the back, necklaces bracelets and a dhoti, holding his attributes with his four arms. The god is standing on and backed by the Naga. India, late 19th century. Height: 15 cm. Very good condition. NOTE: Images of Vishnu typically depict him with four arms, holding his attributes: the club, wheel, conch and lotus flower. The club is a symbol of Vishnu's divine power, and the wheel, a symbol of the sun. ...

Finely cast small statue of Green Tara, wearing diadem jewelry and dhoti, sitting in regal repose on a double lotus throne, her left hand holding a lotus flower. Tibet, 19the century. Height: 4 cm. Slight erosion on the gliding, otherwise very good condition.

Citipati mask made of gilt embossed copper. Tibet, early 19th century. Height: 18.7 cm. Width: 22.2 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Obvious signs of age, otherwise good condition.

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.

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.

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 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.

Old tribal necklace, made of old glass beads of various colours, with a bronze ornament in the shape of a human head, indicating head-taking status in the tribe. North East India, Naga ethnic group. Length: around 36 cm. Very good condition. Provenance: 1) old European collection, 2) auction sale.

Head of a deity, probably one of the Hindu deities. However, the shape of the top of the head and the presence of a usnisa above the forehead may suggest that this is an early representation of the head of Buddha. The head is made of wood, with a beautiful dark brown crusty patina. India, 15th/16th century. Height: 21 cm. Very good condition despite a few age cracks.

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.

Unusual mask with flat top, small forehead, relief pierced through eyes, protruding nose, open mouth showing pierced through teeth, short rounded chin. Wood, dark patina. Remnants of thin superimposed layers of polychrome pigments. Himalayan Region, early 19th century, probably earlier. Height: 10 1/4" (26 cm). The mask is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand which enhances its strange beauty. Old accident at base of chin, some erosion and flaking, otherwise very good condition. Note: this pie...

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 losses, erosion, otherwise very go...

Pendant of rectangular shape ending in a triangle on its top, with a loop for possible attachment to a necklace. The pendant is decorated with an embossed design of tribal style representing Hindu god Virabhadra standing with his four arms and weapons/attributes, and surrounded by a dotted aureola. Bronze, with fine reddish green patina. India, 18th century. Height: 5.3 cm. 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....

Mask which was used for the protection of a household against evil spirits. Wood, fine dark brown glossy patina. Nepal, early 19th century. 11 3/16" (28,4 cm). Old accidents (visible on photos), otherwise good condition.

Rare plate decorated with a relief design representing two intertwined Citipati dancing together on a lotus. Gilt copper, fine patina. Tibet, 19th century. Height: 39.4 cm. Very good condition.

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.

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.

Wood mask, with strong features, of a Mahakala. Dark brown glossy patina. Bhutan, 19th century. Height: 28.5 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Very good condition. NOTE: collected in Nepal in 1978.

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.

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. NOTE: The terrifying expression that is shown on this type o...

Old tribal necklace, made of old red and yellow glass beads and small bronze bells, with a bronze ornament in the shape of three heads to indicate head-taking status. North East India, Naga ethnic group. Length: around 37 cm. Very good condition. Provenance: 1) old European collection, 2) auction sale.

Large and intricately created old tribal necklace, made of old glass beads of various colours and sizes, with bone separates and bronze tiny bronze bells. North East India, Naga ethnic group. Length: around 64 cm. Very good condition. Provenance: 1) old European collection, 2) auction sale.