Catalog (47)

Extraordinary, rare and very old ancestral statue, "korwar", carved from single piece of wood representing a standing human figure on a rounded base with a symbolically oversized skull head, with a lodging on top to accommodate a real partial ancestor skull. Two small dieties figures were carved in relief on the sides of the skull. Addionally, the right arm of the human figure was carved separately and affixed to the korwar with a tenon. Korwar figures represent ancestor spirits that are hig...

Suoerbly cast five prong vajra, with delicate details, on the makara heads, as well as on the stylised lotus. Bronze with fine dark patina. Tibet, mid 20th century, maybe earlier. Length: 12 cm. Very good condition.

Fine lime box, made of silver with embossed decoration of floral and geometric design, its lid being adorned at its top with an embossed brass decor representing a stylised Buddhist Wheel of the Law. Beneath, an embossed design representing a stylised Buddhist Wheel of the Law surrounded by a floral decor. The box still contains remnants of lime, which is used for the betel. Tibet, early 20th century, maybe earlier. Dimensions: height: 4.8 cm, diameter: 6.3 cm. Very good condition.

Statue of Hindu goddess Durga, standing on a circular base, with her multiple arms, killing the demons. Bronze, with fine age patina. India, 15th/16th century. Height: 10.2 cm. Right hand missing, abrasion due to great age, otherwise very good condition

Partly gilt wood statue of Buddhist goddess Sho Kannon Bosatsu (one of the many forms of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara), wearing formal robes, and a diadem with a small stylised Amithaba on the front, standing, her hands joined to hold a bowl. The goddess face reflects a profound meditation. Fine age patina. Japan, Edo period, early 19th century, maybe earlier. Height: 24.2 cm. Old insect attack on the right side (no more danger), otherwise very good condition.

Statue of Buddha Sakyamuni, fine details, with a pointed usnisa, his hands in "bhumisparsa mudra", sitting on an elevated lotus throne. The statue is made of silver foil on a terracotta core. Laos, early 20th century, maybe earlier. Height: 13.6 cm. Very good condition despite a tiny chip on the lower left side of the throne.

Small covered box with an embossed decoration all around the body representing stylised animals in small medalions. The lid is surmounted by an animal (tiger?) and the base is decorated with a lotus. Solid silver with a fine patina. Burma, 19th century. Height: 5.5 cm. Diameter: 5.7 cm. Very goodcondition.

Fragment of a relief carved in marble to represent a flying "apsara". China, Tang dynasty, 10th century. Height: 12.5 cm. The piece is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Good condition. Provenance: French auction sale 1992.

Beautifully decorated book cover, of very refined gilded hammered copper on wood, with, on one side, two dragons with the "Ratna", or "Mani" (the Jewel of the Buddhist doctrine) in the middle, surrounded by stylised cloud motifs and framed in lotus design. On the other side, three handpainted Buddhist figures representing Manjushri, Chenresig and the Mahakala. These paintings have withstood the test of time a little less well than the front side. Otherwise, the book cover is in very good condit...

Important goblet of cylindrical form flaring towards its top, superbly decorated in relief all over its body with embossed court scenes showing a queen, half naked and sitting on a throne, being taken care of by several servants. The goblet is made of silver, with a fine age patina. Afghanistan, Graeco-Bactrian Kingdom, ca. 3rd century. Height: 10.4 cm. Obvious signs of great age, otherwise very good condition. Provenance: 1) old collection of a French diplomat who lived in Afghanistant during t...

Small dance mask made of a turtle shell at its center, in a kind of frame made of soil and sagotree resin with multiple cowries inserts and painted in red, white and black, surrounded with remnants of cassowary feathers. Papua New Guinea, Middle Sepik region, Palimbei, Iatmul ethnic group. Mid 20th century period. Height: 21 cm. A few small old accidents, otherwise very good condition. Provenance: old Italian collection. IMPORTANT NOTE: export ONLY to the European Community.

Rare, unusual in this form, Himalayan shamanic mask, with eyes and mouth wide open, expressive features. This mask is strangely similar in aspect to antique Greek theater masks, though there is no known connection between both areas. The mask is made of wood, with a very fine dark brown glossy patina and obvious signs of great age, with traces of the oritginal colouring. Period: 19th century. Height: 29.5 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Good condition. Collected in situ in 1974...

Very rare heavy hardwood mask, with strong features in relief, an incised sacred trident on its forehead (the traditional weapon of Hindu god Shiva), round metal added eyes, large nose and mouth. Beautiful age patina, with traces of original pigments meant to enhance the mask features. Himalayan region, early 20th century. Height: 27 centimeters. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Old accidents which do not impair the mask beauty and unique quality, otherwise very good condition

Delicately carved head of Fuxi, wearing an elaborate cap, his beautifully detailed face showing a slight smile. Wood, with remnants of superimposed layers of colouring. Remains of animal hair under the nose and chin to represent mustache and beard. Votive box (closed) at the back. China, Ming Dynasty period, 17th century. Height: 30 cm. The head is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Very good condition despite some flaking of the colouring. NOTE 1: Fuxi, also called Nuo Gong, with his wife Nüw...

Very rare and old mask, finely carved to represent Hanuman, half monkey half god, the deified hero of the famous Ramayana epic, with a vivid expression. Wood, with remnants of polychromy. Bhutan/Arunchal Pradesh, early 19th century. Height: 20.8 cm. Nicely mounted on a custom stand. Old insect infestation (no more danger), small crack at chin level, otherwise good condition.

A fine group of three gilt bronze belt plates, of slightly rectangular form, each bearing a decoration in relief representing a musician playing an instrument. Gilt bronze, with a nice patina, partly green, partly reddish. China, Tang dynasty. Dimensions: 3.1 x 3.2 cm. Very good condition

A half part of a military tally, finley cast in the form of a crouching tiger. Inside the tally is a protruding character and two round holes. Beneath the tally, nine incised halves of characters.The tally is made of bronze, with remnants of the original gilding and a fine patina. China, Early Ming dynasty or earlier. Height: 4.2 cm. Length: 8.2 cm. Very good condition. NOTE: a tally was used to command troops in ancient China. A messenger entrusted with delivering the emperor's orders carried...

Fine rectangular lime box made of bronze, decorated with numerous silver inserts representing floral and geometric designs. Inside the box are four compartments with their lids, also decorated with silver inserts showing stylised flowers. Philippines archipelago, Mindanao island, early 19th century. Dimensions: length: 9.3 cm, height: 6.1 cm. Slight abrasion due to age, otherwise very good condition. Provenance: Acquired in Luzon island in 1978.