Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian (433)

Very old wood statue of Buddhist goddess Sho Kannon Bosatsu (one of the many forms of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara), wearing formal robes, and a diadem with bronze decorations on the two sides, standing on a lotus, her left hand holding a vase, her right hand in abhaya mudra. The goddess face reflects a profound meditation. Remnants of the original gilding. Fine age patina. Japan, early Edo period. Height: 25.2 cm. Good condition.

Statue of crowned Buddha, in royal attire, his hands in "bhumisparsa mudra" (taking the Earth as a witness of the veracity of his sayings), sitting cross-legged on a tall throne. A hole at the top of the crown suggests the presence originally of a finial, now gone, while a hole at the back means that the statue was held firmly in a niche via a tenon. Marble, with numerous remnants of the original pigments. Burma, 17th century. Height: 10 1/4" (26,5 cm)...

Small statue of Ambika, with a tiny Jina sitting above her head, wearing a dhoti, standing on a pedestal backed by a large nicely adorned mandorla. Ambika holds a child in her left arm, and what seems to be a weapon in her right hand. The deity is flanked by her vahana animal, a lion, on her lower left side, and by another child standing on her lower right side. Bronze, with nice dark reddish-green patina. India, 16th century. Height: 3 1/4" (8,3 cm)...

Earthenware offering plate depicting seven seated Buddha surmounting fine Buddhist devotees. Thailand Khmer period known as Lopburi, 12-14th century. 72 mm high x 55 mm wide x 14 mm thick. The piece is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Abrasion due to age, otherwise very good condition.

Statue of Buddhist god Wenshu --- also known as Bodhisattava Manjusri --- in formal attire, wearing diadem and jewelry, his hands holding the stem of lotus flowers resting on each shoulder, sitting in "bhadrasana" on his lion, the lion itself crouching on a stylised lotus base. Bronze, with encrusted dark green patina. China, late Yuan/early Ming dynasty. Height: 18.8 cm. Very good condition.

Small statue of Buddha wearing a diadem, in a meditative posture ("dhyana mudra"), holding a stylized beggar bowl in his hands, sitting cross-legged on a double lotus throne. Bronze, with thick encrusted green patina. Tibet, 16th century. Height: 5 1/2" (14 cm). Diadem partly chipped, a few tiny casting defects, otherwise very good condition. A rather unusual aspect of the Buddha image.

Statue of a taoist dignitary, in formal attire, standing on an elevated hexagonal base on which a relief representing a reclining animal is carved. Two votive boxes at the back, both with missing lid. China, Ming Dynasty period. The statue is mounted on a stand. height (without stand): 31,5 cm. A few missing parts at the lower side of the base and at the back of the head, with no real damage to the general aspect of the statue, otherwise very good condition.

Realistic and superbly cast statue of a Taoist dignitary, standing in formal attire, holding an archaic vessel with both hands, with a slight smile on his face. Bronze, encrusted patina, traces of gilding in some recesses. China, Qing Dynasty, early 18th century, probably earlier. Height: 7" (17,7 cm). Old dent on the upper part of the back, otherwise very good condition. A rare piece.

Statue of Taoist dignitary, in formal attire, his hands joined together, standing on a square base. The dignitary face reflects a profound inner serenity. Bronze, partly encrusted green patina. China, Ming Dynasty Period (1368-1644). Height: 9" (23 cm). Small dents/chips on base, otherwise very good condition.

Statue of Bodhisattva Sadaksari Lokesvara, the four-armed deity seated in "dhyanasana" on a double lotus throne, his principal arms in prayer posture ("anjali mudra"), the other hands wearing the rosary (""ashamala") on the right side and a lotus of absolute purity on the left side. His head is sumounted by a stylized bust of Buddha Amithaba. The deity is wearing diadem, jewels and dhoti. The statue is made of gilt copper with turquoise and coral inserts. Tibet, 16th century. Height: 13 cm...

Small architectural element decorated in relief with Vishnu, in his other name as Anantashayana (meaning "reclining on Ananta"), resting on the many-headed serpent-king called Ananta "the endless". Vishnu is holding the conch ("shankha", symbol of the five existential elements) in both hands. Wood, with fine glossy patina. Nepal, early 17th century, maybe earlier. Height: 6" (15,2 cm). The relief is nicely mounted on a custom wood stand. Erosion due to great age, otherwise good condition.

Small statue of a Judge of the Souls in Hell, in formal attire, sitting on a throne. Wood, with remnants of the original polychrome pigments on plaster. China, Ming Dynasty Period (1368-1644). Height: 7 3/4" (19,5 cm). Obvious signs of great age, otherwise good condition.

Small bowl of rounded shape, carved decoration of stylized lotus petals outside, with a short footring. Celadon, rather thick ceramic, with traces of light brown colour coming from a long stay underground. China, Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Diameter: 5 3/8" (13,5 cm), height: 1 7/8" (4,8 cm). Slight glaze erosion in some areas around the rim, small chips at base, shape slightly warped, otherwise very good condition.

Carved banded calcite/alabaster bowl with a small circular base. Exceptional natural color veins ranging from dark, pinkish and tan cream, carved to exploit the natural veining. Bactria, Ca. 3000 to 2000 B.C. Diameter: 4 1/4" (10,8 cm). Very good condition.

Finely cast statue of Bodhisattva Manjusri, in formal attire, his face showing a half smile, sitting in "rajalila asana" on a chimera or highly stylized lion, both resting on an elevated lotus throne. China, Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Height: 9 1/8" (23,3 cm). Iron, with partly encrusted patina. Obvious signs of great age, strong oxydization in some areas, otherwise very good condition. A very fine statue. NOTE: "rajalila asana" is the king's posture. It is sometimes used on bodhisattvas statues...

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.

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.

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.