Catalog (554)

Old tribal necklace, made of old glass beads of various colours with a bronze ornament in the shape of a double fish tail. North East India, Naga ethnic group. Length: around 34 cm. Very good condition. Provenance: 1) old European collection, 2) auction sale.

Taoist statue of a Judge in Hell, sitting, in formal attire, his hands joined together. Votive box at the back, now open. Wood, with traces of lacquering and polychrome painting. China Qing Dynasty, 19th century. Height: 18 cm. Abrasion due to age, otherwise very good condition.

A pair of important books on Samurai, their history, fighting techniques, armour and weapons. The first book is "Secrets of the Samurai" published in 1973 by Charles E. Tuttle Company Inc. of Rutland, Vermont, USA. This book is a definitive study of the martial arts of feudal Japan, illustrating in detail the weapons, tecfhniques, strategies and principles of combat that made the Japanese warriors a terrible foe. Profusely illustrated in 464 pages, this study provides and insight into the variou...

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.

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). The box has...

Large wood stand of circular shape resting on five feet. The stand was carved from a unique piece of high quality wood. China, Qing dynasty; 19th century. Inside diameter: 15 cm. Height: 7 cm. Tiny crack around the rim, otherwise very good condition

String instrument ("saranghi") made of wood, decorated on its top with a human figure. Fine dark brown glossy patina. Himalayan region, early 20th century. Height: 42 cm. The sarangi is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Very good condition. NOTE: collected in Nepal in 1974.

Pair of ivory buttons of square shape, with a finely carved relief decoration representing each a different Disciple of Buddha ("arhat"). Japan, 19th century. Height: 2.8 cm each. Small chips at the attachment knobs at the back, otherwise very good condition.

Lime box of round shape, its lid with embossed decor of the Buddhist Wheel of the Law on top, foliage design under it, surmounting a series of dragons in clouds below, the whole on an elaborate tiny lotus decor. The sides of the lid are decorated with a geometric incised design of a cross and a kind of Greek key. The sides of the body of the box are also decorated with this cross and Greek key design. Beneath the box, an incised decor of Buddhist svastika and flowers. Two small loops for attachm...

Jarlet or bottle, with two ring handles, carved footring with dropped base, celadon glaze on brownish body. Traces of soil encrustations in some areas. Thailand, Sawankhalok kilns, ca. 14th to mid-16th centuries. Height: 4 1/2" (11,2 cm). Very good condition.

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. NOTE: Phurpas were and are still used...

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. Height: 9"...

Rectangular shaped fragment of a Persian miniature painted on an ivory plate representing horsemen hunting deer. The plate is affixed on a green velvet fabric and framed under glass. The frame itself is made of a fine wood and mother-of-pearl marquetry. Height of the miniature: 10,2 cm. Total height of the frame: 16,5 cm. Tiny old restoration on top of the frame, otherwise very good condition. Provenance: Auction sale by Primardeco in Toulouse, october 3rd 2012.

Small ceramic cup of celadon color, with crackled glazing. China, Ming Dynasty. Diameter: 12,2 cm. Height: 3.3 cm. Slight abrasion, otherwise very good condition.

Amulet representing a Taoist deity, standing on a small base, wearing robes, with its right leg lifted, holding what seems to be a gourd in its left hand. A loop on its top allowed its attachement to a necklace. Bronze with fine reddish green patina. China, Tang dynasty. Height: 41 mm. Very good condition.

Large wood stand of circular shape resting on five feet. The stand was carved from a unique piece of high quality wood. China, Qing dynasty; 19th century. Inside diameter: 14,5 cm. Height: 9,3 cm. Very good condition

Large wood stand of circular shape resting on five feet. The stand was carved from a unique piece of high quality hard wood. China, Qing dynasty; 19th century, maybe earlier. Inside diameter: 13,5 cm. Height: 7,5 cm. Very good condition

Rock crystal cylinder seal, with an incised design representing a hunter with a bow facing a deer, both surrounded with symbols. Bactrian Civilisation, 3rd to 2nd century B.C. Height: 3.1 cm. Abrasion due to age, otherwise very good condition.

Rock crystal cylinder seal, with an incised design representing a horseman with a bow hunting a deer. Bactrian Civilisation, 3rd to 2nd century B.C. Height: 3 cm. Abrasion due to age, otherwise very good condition.

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.

"Gorfa" milk container, made of calabash covered with tightly woven vegetal fibers, with a leather handle partly decorated with cowries. The gorfa is also covered with leather and wood protection, and its foot is decorated with cowries. Ethiopia, Borana Peoples. Height: 21.2 cm. Very good condition. NOTE: The Borana society is build around the maintenance of cattle, which are their prime source of sustenance. Milk and yogurt also are staples of the Borana diet. Many Borana folktales and songs ...

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"Ancient India", Bulletin of the Archeological Survey of India, number 4, double number, July 1947 - January 1948. Published by the Archeological Survey of India, New Delhi. Printed by the Baptist Mission Press, Calcutta. 8 3/8"x10 11/16" (21,5x27 cm). 321 pages. Numerous drawings, maps and photos. A series of articles on the archeology of India, Afghanistan and Pakistan, by British and Indian field experts, published in the mid forties to the early sixties. Contents described on cover (see pho...

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...

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.

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.

Small statue of Bhairava standing on a lotus base, in an aggressive posture, holding Brahma's skull in his left hand, with his right hand raised threateningly. A demon is reclining beside his left foot. Bronze, with dark-green patina. Tibet, early 19th century, maybe earlier. Haight: 3 1/4" !8,3 cm). Lotus base slightly bent in front, otherwise very good condition.

Nicely carved feminine fetish with a fine coiffe, serene face with lowered lids, elongated neck, holding her breasts with both hands, and showing scarifications around her belly. Wood, with fine dark glossy patina. A piece of old textile of red color is meant to represent a skirt. Africa, D.R. Congo, Luba ethnic group. Height: 9 3/8" (23,7 cm). The figurine is mounted on a custom metal stand. Remnants of old insect infestation, (no danger), otherwise very good condition.

Statue of Buddha, in monk's robes, sitting cross-legged on an oval throne, his hands in "bhumisparsa mudra" posture. Alabaster. Burma, 18th century. Height: 9.9 cm. Good condition, despite slight abrasion due to age.

Large ring with its bezel of circular shape decorated with a relief design representing the face of a deity. Bronze, with fine reddish-green patina. Bactria, ca. 400 B.C. Diameter of bezel: 3 cm. Inside diameter of the ring: 2.2 cm. Very good condition.

Cylinder seal with an incised design representing two helmeted horsemen hunting a lion. Bronze, with fine reddish patina. Bactria, ca. 400 B.C. Height: 3 cm. Very good condition.

Pair of ancient paintings on paper, with polychrome colours and gold. The first painting represents a noble lady, in formal attire, sittings on an elevated platform. Two characters are painted at the back. This painting is partly folded, the paper is stained due to age and has suffered three insect attacks. The second painting represents a noble man in formal attire and sitting on an elevated platform. Two characters are painted at the back. This painting has suffered three insect attacks and th...

Small cosmetic palette of round shape made from schist, with a carved relief decoration representing Buddha with his two disciples Ananda and Kasyapa. Gandhara Graeco-Buddhist art, 1st to 5th century. Diameter: 7.8 cm. Old accident (restored), otherwise good condition.

Bronze cylinder seal with an elaborate and detailed design representing several animals (Horse, deer, bird, tiger), some winged, and a human being standing and holding a palm and a weapon. Bactrian Civilisation. Height: 5.2 cm. Diameter: 1.9 cm. Very good condition.

Statue of Hindu goddess Shridevi, one of the two consorts ("shakti") of god Vishnu, standing on an elevated square base, holding a lotus flower in her left hand. Bronze, with fine patina. India, 18th century. Height: 6.2 cm. Some abrasion due to age, otherwise very good condition.

A rare ring, elaborately decorated with two kinds of stupas linked together. Bronze, with nice age patina. Soil encrustations. Graeco-Buddhist Civilisation, Gandhara, ca. 3rd century. Inside diameter: 17 mm. Height: 43 mm. Very good condition.