Catalog (306)

Small mask representing the face of a "lakhe", an celestial entity which protects humans and households against evil spirits. Wood, with beautiful dark patina. Himalayan Region, 18th century. Height: 5 1/4" (13,5 cm). The mask is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Old restoration at the back of the right eye, erosion due to age, otherwise very good condition. A rare piece in this size.

Very rare architectural element beautifully carved in the shape of a celestial being, maybe Garuda, flying and holding a vessel in his hands. Wood, with dark-brown patina. Nepal, 18th century, maybe earlier. Height: 14,5 cm. The piece is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Old insect infestation (treated, no danger), some losses, 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.

Statue of Zhen Wu, or Xuan Wu, the God of the North, in formal attire, sitting on a rocky throne, under which his two attributes --- the snake and the tortoise --- are hiding, his right arm resting on a chimera. Wood, with remnants of the original lacquering and gilding. Black glass eyes. China, Ming Dynasty. Height: 10 1/2" (26,7 cm). Good condition.

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.

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.

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.

Head of a lohan (or "arhat"), one of the 18 disciples of Buddha, wearing mustache and goatee, his face displaying a severe expression. Wood, with remnants of the original plastering (used to support a former polychrome painting, now gone), Eyes made of black glass. China, early 18th century, probably earlier. Height: 12" (30 cm). The head is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Some chips, otherwise very good condition.

Statue of God Chao Kung Ming, the Military Wealth God, dressed in military garb, half sitting on a throne, his left hand holding a coin, his left foot tramping the head of a dragon, his right leg resting on a lion. Votive box open at the back and still containing a paper. Lacquered and painted wood in gold and polychrome colors. China, 18th century. Height: 8 3/4" (22,2 cm). Old insect infestation (no danger), otherwise 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.

Head of Buddha, eyes half closed, its face reflecting a profound inner serenity. Wood, with remnants of the original lacquering and gilding. China, 18th century. Height: 10 1/2" (26,7 cm). The head is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Age cracks, otherwise good condition.

Statue of God Khandoba (an avatar of God Shiva), riding his horse, with his spouse Parvati on his left side, holding his sword with his right hand. Strongly eroded bronze. India, 18th century or earlier. Height: 6 1/2" (16,5 cm). Good condition.

Statue of HIndu God Krishna as a playing baby. Bronze, with fine green patina with reddish spots. India, 18th century. Height: 3 3/8" (8,5 cm), length: 3 3/8" (8,5 cm). It seems that the eyes were made of silver pieces affixed to the face, but that they are missing now, leaving a red trace. Very good condition otherwise.

Jeweler's mould, used to make gold or silver jewelry, decorated in relief inside to represent a dancing Hindu female deity ("deva"). Bronze with nice green and reddish patina. India, early 18th century. Diameter: 2 4/8" (6,7 cm). Very good condition.

Head of Buddha, its face with eyes almost closed reflecting a profound inner serenity. Wood, with numerous layers of polychrome pigments, lacquering and gilding. China, early 18th century, probably earlier. Height: 32 cm. The head is not mounted. Some flaking, otherwise very good condition.

Statue of Buddha sitting on a double lotus throne, his hands in "bhumisparsa mudra". At the center front and back of the throne, a small niche contains a relief representing what seems to be a Green Tara in regal repose posture. Inscription at the bottom of the front of the throne. Bronze with green and reddish patina. Laos, early 18th century, maybe earlier. Height: 6 3/16" (15,7 cm). Very good condition.

A fine pair of small baluster shaped porcelain vases, with a painted blue decor on white background of two dragons chasing the flaming pearl among clouds. Kangxi reign mark beneath. China, Qing Dynasty period. Height: 7" and 7 1/8" (17,6 and 18 cm). Old and very fine restoration around the neck of one of the vases (see photos), otherwise very good condition. Provenance: old French provincial collection.

Snuff bottle of almost globular form, made of two sections carved from burl which has then been lacquered in black. The bottle has a silver neck and a silver circular frame holding the two sections together. It also has an opening with round silver repoussé mount with geometric design at one side, the lid ending in a coral top. Tibet, 18th century. Diameter: 3" (7,6 cm). Age cracks on both sides, stopper and spoon missing, otherwise good condition. Provenance: Old Parisian collection.

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.

Small statue of Buddha Sakyamuni, sitting cross-legged on an elevated throne, his hands in "bhumisparsa mudra", backed by a seven-headed stylized Naga sacred snake. Bronze with traces of the original gilding. Partially encrusted patina of green and reddish color. Burma, 18th century or earlier. Height: 10,5 cm. 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.

Netsuke nicely carved to represent a man standing with a slightly mischievous expression and posture. Ivory, with a fine age patina. Japan, mid Edo Period. Height: 5.9 cm. Minute age cracks (absolutely no damage), slight erosion, otherwise very good condition.

Statue of Buddha Sakyamuni, in monk's robes, sitting cross legged, his right hand in "abhaya mudra". Votive box at the back, its lid and contents missing. Wood, with remnants of polychrome colors painted on a paper lining glued on the wood. China, Qing Dynasty period, 18th century. Height: 41 cm. A few losses, including on the finger tips of the right hand, otherwise very good condition. .

Head of Buddha, eyelids lowered, with a meditative expression, with a small usnisa above forehead. Wood, with multiple layers of lacquering and gilding. China, Qing Dynasty, 18th century, maybe earlier. Height: 32.5 cm. Some chips, otherwise 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.

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.

A five prong vajra or dorje. Bronze, with fine reddish green patina. Japan, 18th century. Length: 13 cm. Very good condition.

Altar dedicated to Hanuman, the Hindu semi-god, carved in openwork relief to represent Hanuman standing with a martial attitude, carrying a club in his left hand and an uprooted tree in his right hand, and trampling a supine figure, probably a demon. Marble, with traces of red pigments. India, 18th century. Height: 13.7 cm. Abrasion due to age, otherwise very good condition.

Finely cast statue of bodhisattva Shadakshari Lokeshvara, sitting on a double lotus throne, wearing diadem and formal attire with jewels, with his four arms, two in front in praying posture, the other two on the sides with left hand holding a lotus and right hand holding a necklace. Copper, with nice age patina. Tibet, early 19th century. Height: 8.7 cm. Very good condition.

Elaborate mask of Citipati, made of embossed, gilt and painted, bronze. Partly encrusted reddish-green patina. Tibet, 18th century. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Height (without stand): 26 cm. Very good condition. A very rare piece.

Intricately carved mask for the Nuo esoteric theater, representing the legendary character of Bao Gong, or Judge Bao, wearing a formal hat, his face in relief with a fierce expression, with bulging eyes, open mouth revealing fangs, and a stylised beard. Wood, with traces of the original polychrome colouring. China, 18th century. Height: 29.6 cm. Very good condition despite signs of old insect infestation (no danger).

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. A stylised book resting on a lotus surmounts his left shoulder, while his hand is holding the sword which kills ignorance. Gilt bronze, with fine patina. Tibet, 18th century. Height: 7.5 cm. Gilding partly missing, otherwise very good condition. NOTE: At the back of the pedestal, two rectangular perforations suggest that or...

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.

Girdle ornament of rounded rectangular shape, with geometric design, of Han period style, around both sides. Light green jade, with soil encrustations on a few areas. China, Qing Dynasty, ca. 18th century. Length: 6.4 cm. Width: 4.6 cm. Thickness: 7mm. Signs of wear due to age, otherwise very good condition.

Statue of Duowen Tian Wang, the Heavenly King of the North, elaborately dressed, wearing a diadem, holding the end of a ribbon with his left hand and a Buddhist scepter resting on a lotus in his right hand. The statue is standing on an square pedestal. The piece was originally lacquered, painted and gilt. Part of the lacquering is flaked, revealing the bronze oxydation. The statue was cast in China during the early Qing Dynasty, in the 18th century. Height: 37 cm. Very good condition.

Statue of Buddha Amithaba or Amitayus, wearing an unusual diadem, jewelry and dhoti, sitting cross-legged on an elevated throne backed by a flaming mandorla, holding the elixir of immortality in his hands. Bronze, with a fine reddish-green patina. This statue is a Sino-Tibetan work, dating late 18th century/early 19th century. Height: 18.5 cm. Very good condition. Provenance: acquired from a Hong Kong antique dealer in 1978.