Catalog (551)

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.

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.

Lozenge-shaped gilt bronze plate, embossed to represent a concentric decoration of stylized lotuses and geometric design with, at the center, a coral intaglio in relief representing the Hindu God Ganesha. Height: 2 3/8" (6,1 cm), length: 3 11/16" (9,3 cm). The plate is nicely mounted on a custom wood stand. Beautiful green and reddish partly encrusted patina. Very good condition. A rare piece.

Wood spoon, its handle finely carved in the shape of a standing female figurine. Nice age patina. Ifugao tribes, Northern Luzon Island, Philippines archipelago. Height: 18 cm. The spoon is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Very good condition. Provenance: Zemanek Munster tribal art auction sale # 77.

Belt hook, or fibula, made of glass, with a finely detailed decoration in relief, largely influenced by the Warring States Period style, and representing, from top to bottom, first a large dragon head, then two chimeras side by side, then, at the end, a large tiger head. Nicely incised knob at the back. China, Qing Dynasty, 18th century, maybe earlier. Length: 19.8 cm. Remnants of soil encrustations. Very good condition. A very rare object.

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...

Finely carved mask representing a demon, with expressive features, a protruding forehead bearing a third eye, protruding eyes, beaked nose, open mouth showing teeth. Wood, with remnants of polychrome painting. China, Qing Dynasty, early 19th century or earlier. Height: 23 cm. The mask,is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Old accidents and insect infestations (no danger), otherwise good condition. A very rare piece.

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.

Statue of Buddha Sakyamuni, in monk's robes, sitting on a lotus, his hands in didactic posture ("vitarka ludra"). Bronze, with fine patina. China, early Ming dynasty, Hongwu period (1368-1398). Height: 13 cm. Small accident on nose, otherwise very good condition. A very rare piece. NOTE: similar examples of Buddha statues of this period exist, though rare, for example a gilt-bronze Buddha, dat.1398 Hongwu, H 5.8 W 3.8 cm, East Asian Art Museum, Bath [exh.cat. Bath 2000, No. 95], others in privat...

Important mask of Mahakala, with a fierce expression, his forehead surmounted by a sort of diadem sustaining a range of tiny skulls . Finely embossed iron, with detailed features, and polychrome pigments to enhance some of the mask parts (eyes, teeth, skulls). A thin textile of red colour is affixed to the inside of the mask, probably to protect the dancer's face. Tibet, early 19th century.Height: 24 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Very good condition.

Rare mask of Mahakala, cast in great detail, with a fierce expression, the head surmounted by a crown of skulls, the open mouth showing fangs. Iron with polychrome paint. Tibet, early 20th century. Height: 17 cm. Width: 17 cm. Painting partly flaked, some oxidation, oitherwise very good condition.

Standing female figurine, with typical coiffe and elongated head, scarifications on face and torso, arms alongside and separated from torso, small breasts, straight legs and big stylized feet. Wood, fine dark-brown semi-glossy patina. Africa, D.R. Congo, Mangbetu Peoples. Height: 11 7/8" (30 cm). The statue is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Old accident on left shoulder (local restoration), erosion, otherwise good condition.

Miniature Buddhist stupa carved from rock cristal, comprising of a central stupa surrounded by four lateral smaller stupas, standing on a square base. The piece is made of twelve parts which were carved separately as shown on photos # 9 and 10. Gandhara Graeco-Buddhist art, 1st to 5th century. Height: 9.8 cm. A few stains due to a prolonged stay underground, slight abrasion, otherwise very good condition.

Statue of a snarling lion holding a smaller lion under its front paws, resting on a rectangular base. Bronze, with fine dark green patina with reddish areas. China, Ming Dynasty. Length: 6.7 cm. Height: 5.7 cm. Very good condition.

Kohl bottle of flat shape with a long neck and flat rim, resting on four legs. Bronze, with fine dark green patina. 19th century. Height: 8.5 cm. Very good condition. A rare piece.

Small architectural element decorated in relief with Vishnu, in his other name as Anantashayana (meaning "reclining on Ananta"), resting on the many-headed serpent-king called Ananta "the endless". Vishnu is holding the conch ("shankha", symbol of the five existential elements) in both hands. Wood, with fine glossy patina. Nepal, early 17th century, maybe earlier. Height: 6" (15,2 cm). The relief is nicely mounted on a custom wood stand. Erosion due to great age, otherwise good condition.

Ritual spoon, its handle carved in the shape of a male ancestor wearing cap and bracelets on arms and legs. A very rare feature is that the ancestor is also wearing a Christian cross at the end of a long necklace. Indonesia, Flores Island. Height: 8 7/16" (21,5 cm). Old accident, restored locally, at the junction between the spoon and the handle, tiny chips, otherwise good condition. A truly rare piece.

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...