Catalog (551)

Miniature statue of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, standing in formal attire, backed by an aureola, holding an object in his left hand. Gilt bronze. China, Sui Dynasty (581-618 A.D.). Height: 5.7 cm. The statue is mounted on a custom plexi stand. Mandorla partly missing, soil encrustation, otherwise good condition.

Very old Dan mask with circular eyes, protruding forehead, long thin nose, protruding lips, small chin. This mask is of the "gunyeya" type, and was used during the running competitions which were organised to train men to run and fight. It is made of wood, with a fine dark brown glossy patina. Its height: 19.8 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Africa, Ivory Coast/Liberia, first half of 20th century. Obvious signs of use and age, 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.

Feminine figure of the "ekwotame" type, of typical face, with a squarish neck, sitting on a circular stool, her hands on her knees. Scarifications alongside the abdomen. Wood, with black and white pigments. Africa, Nigeria, Benue river region, Idoma ethnic group. Height: 63 cm. Some erosion, small losses, otherwise very good condition. Shipping charges: 50 euros worldwide.

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.

Himalayan mask carved in relief, with a vivid expression. Wood, with a metal plate on the forehead and the chin to affix animal hair meant to represent the mask hair and beard. Nice age patina. Nepal, early 20th century. Height:29 cm. Very good condition

Funeral statuette composed of two separate parts: a head made of limestone, a formal robe made of chlorite adorned with a necklace and two tigers in relief on the sides. This type of statuette is commonly called "Bactrian princess" among specialists, and dates back from the mid third to the early second millenium BC. Such funeral objects seem to have played an important role in the funerals of elites of the Margiana and maybe the Bactrian courts as well. Height: 6.5 cm. Width: 4 cm. Depth: 3.4 ...

Statue of Taoist dignitary, in formal attire, his hands joined together, standing on a square base. The dignitary face reflects a profound inner serenity. Bronze, partly encrusted green patina. China, Ming Dynasty Period (1368-1644). Height: 9" (23 cm). Small dents/chips on base, otherwise very good condition.

Black mask with an unusual slightly conical coiffe. Africa, Gabon, Punu Peoples. Height: 12 " ( 30 cm). The mask is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Old accidents and infestations (no danger), otherwise good condition. NOTE 1: A similar mask is in the Dapper Museum collection in Paris, published in "Masques" Editions Dapper 1995, 2000, 2006 Paris, page 89. NOTE 2: Punu masks are worn during funerals by members of the "Mukuji" Society and are meant to represent ancestors.

Temple or palace architectural element, of corner shape, representing Garuda, the Hindu celestial being, in relief, wearing wings and holding the Snake. Strongly eroded wood. Nepal, 15th to 16th century. Height: 12 1/4" (31 cm). The piece is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. good condition. NOTE: this piece is rather heavy, so we recommend to consult us for shipping cost.

Statue of a taoist dignitary, in formal attire, standing on an elevated hexagonal base on which a relief representing a reclining animal is carved. Two votive boxes at the back, both with missing lid. China, Ming Dynasty period. The statue is mounted on a stand. height (without stand): 31,5 cm. A few missing parts at the lower side of the base and at the back of the head, with no real damage to the general aspect of the statue, otherwise very good condition.

Long temple banner, also called "bridge painting" hand painted on paper representing Taoist deities in all sorts of situations. A stick is affixed on both ends. China, mid 19th century, Yao ethnic group, south-west China. Length: 4.12 m. A few restorations and losses, otherwise good condition.

Rhyton with a cylindrical shape progressively widening toward its top to give an overall conical aspect. The rython is decorated with two feminine deities figures in relief on both sides, wearing horns and having a posture similar to the one of Osiris statues. The body of the rhyton itself is decorated with superimposed geometric designs in slight relief. The piece is made of bronze, with an encrusted green patina. Mesopotamia, probably Bronze Age, ca. 3000 to 1500 B.C. Height: 11.5 cm. Strong s...

Funeral statuette made of calcite. The statuette is composed of three separate parts: a head, a torso adorned with two chimeras in relief and a base decorated with geometric design also in relief. This type of statuette is commonly called "Bactrian princess" among specialists, and dates back from the mid third to the early second millenium BC. Such funeral objects seem to have played an important role in the funerals of elites of the Margiana and maybe the Bactrian courts as well. Height: 8.4 cm...

Bronze plate of circular form with a decoration in relief on the obverse depicting Centaur Chiron with Achilles on his back holding a spear. At the reverse, decoration in relief depicting a concentric stylised foliage. Fine age patina. Bactrian Civilisation, 3rd to 2nd century BC. Diameter: 15.8 cm. Very good condition. NOTE 1: the plate shows a strong Greek aesthetic influence. NOTE 2: the legend of Chiron the Centaur says that he was the son of Cronos, king of the Titans, and that Artemis and ...

Cap mask or headdress carved from wood, covered with antelope skin and with a base of woven basketry for attachment to the head of the masquerade. Two antelope horns are affixed to the top of the mask. Remnants of human hair around the top of the piece. Several holes beneath the upper jaw suggest the former existence of wooden pegs to represent teeth. Africa, Nigeria, Ekoi/Ejagham Peoples, early 20th century, probably older. Height: not including the horns: 10 3/4'" (27 cm), altogether: 12" (30 ...

Statue of crowned Amithaba Buddha, in formal attire, sitting cross-legged on an elevated throne, his hands in dhyana mudra (meditative posture). Wood, with remnants of lacquering and gilding. China, early Qing Dynasty, 17th/18th century. Height: 34 cm. Chip on top of crown, abrasions, otherwise very good condition.

Intricately carved face mask bearing horns, with features in relief, slit eyes, scarifications, stylised beard. Wood, with remnants of kaolin colouring on eyes, horns tips and coiffe. Fine age patina. Africa, Ivory Coast, Yaure ethnic group. Height: 33 cm. Insect infestation on right side (no more danger), otherwise good condition