Catalog: Vintage Arts: Regional Art: Asian (42)

Noh theater wood mask representing the character of Shakumi, a middle-aged woman. The loose strands of hair give her the careworn air of one who has suffered and survived countless trials. Note the slight sag to her cheeks and the creases on either side of her mouth. She often appears in the role of a mother. Japan, early 20th century. Height: 21 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. A few signs of use, otherwise very good condition.

Head of funerary statue or effigy, of minimalist shape. Weathered wood, with shell eyes. Indonesia, South Sulawesi, Toraja Peoples. Height: 12" (30 cm). The head is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Very good condition. NOTE 1: The Toraja have this particularly interesting tradition of carving in wood funerary images of the deceased. These figures are kept in galleries or balconies beside the coffins in which high-ranking or noble or wealthy people are buried...

Statue of a Taoist exorcist ("yingong"), in formal attire, sitting on a throne, holding his commandment baton in his right hand and a bowl containing the lustral water in his left. Wood, coated with polychrome painting. Animal hair used to represent the moustache and the beard. Votive box at the back, lid missing. China, early 20th century. Height: 25 cm. Painting partly flaking, otherwise very good condition.

Superbly decorated very old bear skull, with typically Dayak incised designs all over its upper part. Beautiful partly encrusted patina. Indonesia, Borneo Island, Dayak Peoples. Length: 9" (22,7 cm), height: 3 1/4" (8,2 cm). Lower jaw and and a few teeth missing --- though these factors do not impair the rarity and beauty of the piece --- otherwise very good condition. A very rare ethnographic artifact. IMPORTANT: export to the European Community countries only.

A fine tribal necklace made of conch shell, glass, bronze and bone parts. North East India, Naga ethnic group. Length: around 40 cm. Very good condition. Provenance: 1) old European collection, 2) auction sale.

Fire lighting implement consisting of a piece of iron, pieces of fabric and a fragment of flint stone, the whole set being contained in a rattan box. This implement belonged formerly to a member of a tribe located in Palawan Island, South West of the Philipino Archipelago. Such tribe, like a few others in this island, has in some aspects remained in the Stone Age. It was put under the protection of the Philipino Government some 40 years ago. The closed box length is 7 5/8" (19,2 cm)...