Catalog (500)

Rare elaborately created kapala with a rock crystal "skull cap", put inside a sort of bowl made of an open work gilt copper garland of 11 Citipati skulls, with three Citipati skulls and a fierce Mahakala head on its rim, the whole group resting on an openwork gilt copper stand sustained by three standing Citipati. Tibet, early 20th century. Height: 20.5 cm. Length: 15.7 cm. Very good condition.

This early 19th century Qing Dynasty replica of a Shang Dynasty vessel is a bronze-cast "jue", or ritual wine vessel. It is comprised of three tripod-like legs which sustain a bell-shaped bottom, with a spout. Traditionally, a handle is positioned on one side of the body. Atop the handle, one can find a mythical creature that resembles a dragon. Around the outside of the body of the vessel is the ubiquitously inscribed "taotie" mask. The two knobs protruding from the top of the vessel may have b...

A fine pair of very old wood funnels for sowing, with a circular top and a squarish base for one and a rectangular base for the other. Holes are perforated through, from top to base, to let seeds be poured on the top, pass through and be scattered on the soil. Both are decorated with carved Hindu designs in relief on the body, one with god Ganesh and the other with Nandi bull, a Hindu deity and a symbol. They were made in India around the beginning of the 19th century. Their height: 12.8 and 14 ...

Part of a terracotta sculpture representing a snarling jaguar, showing teeth, with large circular eyes and a wide open mouth showing teeth. Limbs, tail, and left ear missing. Tumaco Pre-Columbian Culture. The figurine is nicely mounted on a custom wood stand with an explanatory label. Provenance: Acquired from a specialised antique gallery in Montreal (Canada) in 1997.

A rare reliquary box of cylindrical form, its lid nicely carved with a triple handle suggesting a stupa with lotus designs, the box itself delicately carved to represent four Buddhas in meditation inside niches surrounded by pillars. Grey schist. Gandhara Civilisation, ca. 3rd century. Height: 14.7 cm. A few chips, otherwise very good condition.

Very rare Citipati phurbu, finely carved, representing, from top to bottom, first a circular platform in relief decorated with stylised lotuses, below four Citipati skulls in relief with a pitcher and a trident in between, then below the "handle" with a chevron design, and finally the bottom "blade" with a "makara" head in relief with two snakes in relief behind it. The phurbu is made of wood, with a fine age patina and some abrasion due to great age. Height: 27.5 cm. Himalaya, first half 20th c...

A fine pair of old Chinese rugs. The first one with brown and blue design on white background, is decorated with floral and geometric designs, the latter including Buddhist symbols (Svastika and Eternal Knot). The rug is made of wool. Dimensions: 125 X 65 cm. China, early 20th century. Old restorations otherwise good condition. The second one is slightly bigger, with beige, red and blue designs on brown background. It is decorated with floral and geometric designs and some Buddhist motive (off...

"Ancient India", Bulletin of the Archeological Survey of India, number 7 to 12, comprising of: 1 - "Ancient India", Bulletin of the Archeological Survey of India, number 7, January 1951 - January 1949. Edited and published by the Director General of Archaeology in India, New Delhi. Printed by the Job Press Ltd., Kanpur. 8 3/8"x10 11/16" (21,5x27 cm). 85 pages. Numerous drawings, maps and photos. A series of articles on the archeology of India, Afghanistan and Pakistan, by British and Indian f...

Statue of Vajradakini, naked, wearing a diadem and jewels, dancing on a lotus, with a "vajra" and a "damaru" in her hands and a "khatvanga" under her right arm. The Vajradakini is backed by a flaming aureola. Bronze, with fine patina and remnants of the original coulouring. The statue was cast in three parts. Tibet, 19th/20th century. Height: 23.3 cm. Very good condition. NOTE: Dakinis, are feminine deities of the Tantric pantheon, who often accompany other deities and may represent the power ...

Very old statue of a household protecting deity, with an enigmatic expression, standing, hands in "namaste" posture. Wood, with dark age patina. Nepal, early 19th century. Height: 36.8 cm. The statue is mounted on a custom stand. Old insect infestation (treated, no danger), otherwise good condition.

Miniature statue of Hindu god Vishnu, standing, wearing a diadem, jewels and a "dhoti", holding his attributes with his four arms. A flaming aureola is shown behind his head. Bronze, with fine age patina. India, 17th/18th century. The statue is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Height of the statue: 11 cm. Feet missing, otherwise very good condition.

Finely incised cylinder seal made of black stone, representing the famous hero Gilgamesh confronting firmly on each side with his two hands a lion with a human head. The whole scene is surmounted by two wings with a sort of sun in their center. Inscriptions in cuneiform on the sides. Mesopotamia, ca. 3000 BC. Height: 43 mm. Slight abrasion due to age, otherwise very good condition. Provenance: acquired in Paris from an antique dealer in 1971.

Rhyton, of conical shape, decorated at its base with the bust of a horse. Geometric design incised all over the body of the object. Bronze, with fine reddish-green age patina and traces of soil encrustations. Bactrian Civilisation, ca. 4th century B.C. Height: 11 cm. Very good condition.

Gilt bronze five prong vajra (or dorje), resting on a lotus stand also made of gilt bronze. Intricate details on the vajra, especially the "makara" heads from which four prongs are protruding, but also around the center part. The stand is also finely cast, and shows an incised "four vajra" design beneath. Tibet, late 19th century. Total height: 20.3 cm. Vajra length: 17.8 cm. Stand diameter: 8 cm. Gilding partly missing, otherwise very good condition

Statue of Bodhisattva Manjusri, the Lord of Wisdom, wearing a diadem, jewels and a dhoti, sitting cross-legged on a double lotus throne, his right hand holding the sword that kills ignorance, his left hand holding a lotus on top of which a book is placed. Bronze, with remnants of the original lacquering and gilding. Tibet, late 19th century. Height: 22.5 cm. Very good condition.

Mask of the Noh Theater representing the character of Shishiguchi. This finely carved from wood mask shows a face with powerful features, with polychrome pigments to enhance its fierce expression. Its height: 25.5 cm. Nicely mounted on a custom stand. Very good condition. NOTE: Shishiguchi means litterally "The Lion's Mouth" This mask is mainly used to interpret the spirit of the lion in a scene of "Shakkyo", a Noh play from which all the lion dances of Kabuki theater are originating.

Replacement head, called "kus", finely carved to represent a human head, with realistic features, mouth open, pierced nose with a small (recent) bamboo stick inserted in it, two "earrings" made of textile and raffia. The head is made of wood, with a fine age patina. Papua New Guinea, Asmat, mid 20th century. Height: 25.9 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Very good condition. NOTE: Trophy heads or skulls were used in initiation rites. Wooden heads ("kus") first were carved to re...

Old mask of "gunyeya" type, with typical pointed face. The circular eyes are framed by metal and traces of red textile, the open mouth shows metal teeth. The mustache is evoked with animal skin on the upper lips, and the beard is made of red textile and animal hair. Finally, a small bell is attached to the chin. Africa, Ivory Coast, Dan ethnic group. Height: 28 cm in total. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Obvious signs of use and old age, otherwise very good condition.