Catalog (551)

Long offering vessel in the shape of a "yoni" (stylised female sex) with a centrally placed pointed "lingam" (stylised male sex). Hammered copper, with a fine reddish-green patina. India, early 19th century. Length: 26 cm. Very good condition. A rather rare object. NOTE: The Yoni is the symbol of the Hindu Goddess Shakti, while the male counterpart is the Hindu God Shiva's Lingam Their union represents the eternal process of creation and regeneration. Normally holy water is poured from the Yoni...

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

Statue of Buddha, in monk's robes, standing on an elevated rounded stand, his hands in abhaya and varada mudra (symbolizing protection, peace, charity and compassion). Wood, with fine patina. Japan, mid Edo period, 18th century. Height: 18 cm. Slight abrasion due to age, otherwise very good condition.

Statue of a Taoist deity --- maybe a judge in Hell --- in mandarin attire, sitting on a throne, his hands in praying posture. Lacquered and gilt wood. China, Qing dynasty, 18th century. Height: 20.2 cm. Old woodworm attacks (no more danger) lacquering and gilding partly flaked, otherwise very good condition.

Wayang topeng mask, finely carved in wood to represent a typical character of that theater, with strong features, painted in polychrome colours to underline some areas. Animal hair was affixed to the mask to represent the hair and the moustache of the character. A wood bar was affixed to the inside of the mask, probably to allow the bearer to hold the mask with his teeth as is done sometimes. An inscription made by its former owner indicates the origin of the mask. Indonesia, Ponorogo, West Java...

Belt hook made of bronze, with fine geometric design in relief at the base and on the stem. Button at the back for attachment to a belt. Green and red encrusted patina. China, Warring States period (-475/-221). Height: 5.6 cm. Very good condition.

Small seal, the handle made of bronze in the shape of a snarling tiger standing on a steel square base. Archaic characters beneath. China, Ming Dynasty or earlier. Height: 2,6 cm. Very good condition.

Very rare bronze quiver with four arrows, (their heads made of iron and shafts made of bamboo). The quiver is nicely decorated with geometric designs in relief and leather covers, with a nice reddish-green patina on the bronze. Dimensions: 54 cm long for the quiver and 40 cm long for the arrows. Cameroon, Kirdi ethnic group. Very good condition. NOTE: acquired in 1970 in North West Cameroon.

Small figurine representing Kuan Yin, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, in formal attire and wearing elaborate diadem and necklaces, flanked by two worshippers, standing on an elevated throne in front of which a lion head is showing in relief. Bronze, with dark reddish-green patina. China, Northern Wei or Sui Dynasty. Height: 2 3/4" (7 cm). Abrasion due to great age, otherwise good condition. An extremely rare object.

Small figurine representing Kuan Yin, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, in formal attire and wearing elaborate diadem and necklaces, sitting cross-legged on an elevated throne around which reclining lions are showing. Bronze, with dark reddish-green patina. China, Northern Wei or Sui Dynasty. Height: 2 3/4" (7 cm). Strong erosion due to great age, right hand partly chipped (old accident) otherwise good condition. An extremely rare object.

Unusual mask carved in wood, in the form of a skull face, with a strong expression in relief. Remnants of the original pigments meant to enhance the mask features. This mask, which was bever worn, was used by a "dukun" for ritual practices and ceremonies. The mask was found in the island of Java, Indonesia. Its height: 17 cm. Mounted on a custom stand. Despite signs of great age and old accidents, the mask is in rather good condition. Provenance: old Dutch collection. NOTE: A dukun is an Ind...

Extraordinary, rare and very old ancestral statue, "korwar", carved from single piece of wood representing a standing human figure on a rounded base with a symbolically oversized skull head, with a lodging on top to accommodate a real partial ancestor skull. Two small dieties figures were carved in relief on the sides of the skull. Addionally, the right arm of the human figure was carved separately and affixed to the korwar with a tenon. Korwar figures represent ancestor spirits that are hig...

Very old mask with an elongated face, with moon and sun signs in relief on the forehead, small eyes, long nose, open mouth showing teeth. Wood, with encrusted patina. Nepal, 18th century. Height: 10 1/4" (26,2 cm). The mask is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Old accident from top to bottom restored locally a long time ago, otherwise good condition. Ex. old European collection.

Very old agate snuff bottle with of beige color with nice white inclusions in some areas. Silvered bronze stopper with large turquoise inlay, copper spoon. China, early 19th century, maybe earlier. Height (without stopper): 2 6/16" (5,8 cm). Very good condition.

Finely cast five-point vajra (or dorje), made of bronze, with nice dark green patina. Tibet, early 19th century. Length: 12.4 cm. Very good condition.

Rare and unusual statue of Vairocana Buddha, wearing diadem and monk's robes, sitting on an elevated lotus throne, his right hand in "abhaya mudra", his left hand resting on his lap, in didactic gesture. The front bottom side of the throne shows two small assistants (maybe Buddha's two companions, Ananda and Kasyapa) in relief, sitting in "regal repose". The back of the throne is incised with a long inscription (datation). Bronze, with fine encrusted green patina. China, early Ming Dynasty, prob...

Highly unusual statue of protecting deity or ancestor, its head surmounted by a circular crown which looks like a "stupa" or a "usnisa". The protector is squatting, its hands are in praying posture. Eroded wood. West Nepal. Height: 36" (41 cm). Obvious signs of great age.

Jar with a bulbous body and a flaring neck. Ceramic, with an unusual reddish glaze (most similar jars of this period are green color). Remnants of soil encrustations. China, Han Dynasty Period (206 BC - 220 AD). Height: 7" (17,7 cm). Small chips around neck and base, otherwise very good condition. Ex. Old French collection.

Mask used for household protection against evil spirits, with an unusual elongated form. Wood, age patina. Nepal, Gurung ethnic group, first half of 20th century. Height: 32.8 cm. Mounted on a custom stand. Some abrasion, otherwise very good condition.

Bi faced "ghurra" (churning rod holder) finely carved to represent a back to back, squatting, human couple, man opposite woman. Wood, with nice dark brown glossy patina. The ghurra was carved in Nepal, and is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Its height (without the stand) is 22.7 cm. Very good condition. NOTE: The ghurra is a tool which has been used for centuries by Nepali people for churning milk into butter. Aside from its use as an important household implement, the ghurra also has a ...

Statue of a standing woman in formal dress, with an unusual necklace supporting a Christian cross. Wood, with fine glossy patina. India, 19th century. Height: 18.5 cm. The statue is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Abrasion due to age, otherwise good condition.

Small cosmetic plate with a carved relief inside representing an erotic scene. The scene is surrounded by a geometric frieze around its rim. Grey schist with remnants of soil encrustations. Pakistan, Graeco-Buddhist art, Gandhara Period, 1st to 3rd century. Tiny chips, otherwise very good condition.

Face mask of almost flat shape, with rectangular protruding forehead, long triangular nose, pierced-through rectangular eyes and mouth. Wood, with fine dark-brown patina. Animal hair has been affixed with black resin, to represent eyebrows, moustache and beard. Old rope still attached to the mask. Himalayas, 19th century, probably even earlier. Height: 10 1/4" (25,5 cm). The mask is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand that enhances its strange beauty. Obvious signs of long use and great age, ...

Lavishly decorated and partly gilt silver alloy bracelet set with red glass cabochons and relief geometric designs. Tekke Turkmen culture, Afghanistan. Height: 7,3 cm. Very good condition.

Tsuba with a decoration in strong relief of a dragon among clouds. Iron, with heavy oxidization. Japan, mid Edo Period. Height: 3 1/16" (8 cm). Despite obvious signs of age, very good condition.

Small tsuba (probably meant for a wakizashi), with a decoration in rief of a bird flying over waves. Eroded and oxidized iron. Japan, mid Edo period. Height: 2 11/16" (6,7 cm). Very good condition.

Beautiful 4-string lute ("saranghi"), the top in the shape of a head holds the four keys, the body itself is made of two parts of heart shape. Wood, with nice dark-brown glossy patina. The lower part is covered with animal skin affixed with tiny wood pegs. Himalaya, 19th century. Height: 22 1/4" (55,6 cm). The lute is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Obvious signs of use and age, otherwise very good condition. NOTE: this piece was collected in the early 1970s, during my 20 year stay in As...

Very small and finely cast statue, with great details, of Adubuddha Vajrasattva, his eyes closed in meditation, wearing diadem, jewelry and dhoti, sitting cross-legged on a lotus throne, his right hand holding the vajra and his left the ghanta. Bronze, with fine dark green patina. Tibet, 19th century. Height: 4.6 cm. Very good condition.

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.

A seal made of bronze, decorated in relief with one of the eight Buddhist symbols -- the Two Fish --- on its top, and the Buddhist Banner around its body, and finally with one of the eight Buddhist symbols --- the Eternal Knot --- beneath. Leather cord. Fine reddish-green patina. Tibet, 18th century. Height: 51 mm. Very good condition.

Fine lime box, made of silver with embossed decoration of floral and geometric design, its lid being adorned at its top with an embossed brass decor representing a stylised Buddhist Wheel of the Law. Beneath, an embossed design representing a stylised Buddhist Wheel of the Law surrounded by a floral decor. The box still contains remnants of lime, which is used for the betel. Tibet, early 20th century, maybe earlier. Dimensions: height: 4.8 cm, diameter: 6.3 cm. Very good condition.

A buff-terracotta vessel, with rounded body, tapering cylindrical neck with ribbed collar in relief and everted molded rim, the shoulder incised with concentric circle bands. Thailand, Haripunchai period, ca. 11th century. Height: 23.5 cm. Very good condition. Provenance: Auction sale Sotheby's New York, June 17th 1993, lot # 370. Related catalog available.

very bn

Ceramic "tenmoku" bowl of classical shape with thick rim and small base. Fine glazing of "hare fur" type, part of which has run down gracefully to the base. An old accident at a small area on the rim has been restored (see last two photos). China, Song Dynasty period. Height: 4,6 cm. Diameter: 10,7 cm.

Repousse plaque representing Hindu God Vishnu, wearing a diadem and dhoti, standing on a lotus, holding his attributes in his four arms. Brass, with nice reddish-green patina. Nepal, 17th/18th century. Height: 9" (22,5 cm). Very good condition despite obvious signs of great age.

Tattoo ink container of cylindrical shape decorated with a monkey in relief, in a rather aggressive posture, holding the container with its four paws. Wood, with a fine dark brown patina. The piece is nicely mounted on a custom plexi stand. Height (without stand): 6.5 cm. Old restoration on one of the limbs (almost invisible), otherwise very good condition.

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.

Small scroll painting on paper representing two Taoist gods, the one on top wearing a mandarin attire, holding a banner and riding a white bird, the one on the lower side in military garb, riding a tiger, holding a banner in his left hand. China, mid 19th century. Height: 42 cm. Obvious signs of great age, a few losses, otherwise good condition.

Symbolic plate representing the entangled faces of the sun and the moon in relief. Bronze, with fine patina and traces of the original gilding. India, 19th century. Height: 21.5 cm. Very good condition.

Sutra book cover carved all over its surface with, in the center, a Bhaisajyaguru Buddha ("The Master of Healing") sitting on a lotus throne in a niche, and Tibetan characters on the rest of the surface. On one side, a monster head surrounded with floral designs is carved. Wood with fine dark-brown glossy patina and remnants of red pigments. Tibet, 15th century. Length: 53.5 cm. Erosion and chips, otherwise good condition.

Sutra book clasp cast in the shape of an H, with a Tibetan "dorje" (or "vajra") placed horizontally at its center. Square opening at top and bottom for attachment. Bronze, with partly encrusted greenish patina. Tibet, 17th century, maybe earlier. Height: 1 5/8" (4,2 cm). The piece is nicely mounted on a custom wood stand. Erosion due to great age, otherwise good condition. Note: such implement was used to lock the straps that kept a "sutra" book (a book containing Buddhist texts) closed.

Steatite oil lamp, finely carved to represent a standing bird. Indus Civilisation period, 2500 to 1500 B.C. Height: 13 cm. Old accident at the tail, soil encrustation, otherwise very good condition.

Small relief fragment in the shape of a head of Buddha, eyes closed, his slightly smiling face reflecting a profound inner serenity. Sandstone. Cambodia, Khmer Period, Bayon Style, 13th century. The piece is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Height (without stand): 12 cm. Erosion due to great age, trace of glue on the lower left side, otherwise very good condition.

Head of a moustached nobleman, wearing an elaborate turban, with an interesting mixture of Greek and Indian features. Grey schist. Pakistan, Gandhara Graeco-Buddhist period, 1st to 3rd century. The head is nicely munted on a custom stand. Height (without stand): 4 1/2" (11,4 cm). Nose and chin slightly chipped, otherwise good condition.

Nicely carved statue of a fisherman standing on a rock, his face showing a large smile, holding a cane on which two fish are attached in his right hand, and his beard in his left hand. Bi-colored steatite. China, early 20th century. Height: 20 cm. Very tiny chips, otherwise very good condition. Provenance: old French collection. IMPORTANT: owing to the rather heavy weight of the piece, please consult us on the shipping cost.

Square shaped seal with incised design representing a humped bull facing left, surmounted by a four character inscription. Indus Valley civilisation, ca. 3000 B.C. Height: 40 mm. Slight abrasion, otherwise very good condition.

Fine oil lamp made of steatite, carved into the shape of a bird, with floral and geometric relief decor on the sides. Bactrian Civilisation, Ca. 2nd century B.C. Length: 16.5 cm. Height: 6.3 cm. Tiny chips, otherwise very good condition.

Cylinder seal with incised design representing a helmeted human being standing and holding a spear on his left shoulder, a mythical bird standing on its paws, and a symbol between them. Steatite, with traces of soil encrustations. Indus Valley Civilisation. Height: 4 cm. Diameter: 2 cm. Abrasion due to great age, otherwise very good condition.

Steatite bowl, with an elaborate decoration carved in relief representing bearded and winged characters, in formal attire, standing and holding a disc, maybe a cymbal, in each hand, alternating with two circular symbols and surmounted by a geometric design around the rim. Indus Valley Civilisation (2600-1900 BC). Height: 7 cm. Diameter: 12.2 cm. Old, small sized accidents, otherwise very good condition. IMPORTANT: owing to the rather heavy weight of the object, please consult us about the ship...

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.

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.

Statue of Xuan Wu, or Zhen Wu, God of the North, in formal attire, sitting on a throne, with his two attributes, the snake and the tortoise. Wood with polychrome painting. China, 19th century Height: 13" (32,5 cm). Colors partly chipped, otherwise very good condition. NOTE: Xuan Wu is one of the highest ranking Taoist deities.

Statue of Buddhist god Wenshu --- also known as Bodhisattava Manjusri --- in formal attire, wearing diadem and jewelry, his hands holding the stem of lotus flowers resting on each shoulder, sitting in "bhadrasana" on his lion, the lion itself crouching on a stylised lotus base. Bronze, with encrusted dark green patina. China, late Yuan/early Ming dynasty. Height: 18.8 cm. Very 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.

Statue of the Judge of the Souls, standing in formal attire, holding the register of merits and demerits of human souls in both hands. Patinated wood, with traces of the original polychrome pigments in the recesses. China, early Ming Dynasty, probably earlier. Height: 13" (33 cm). Obvious signs of great age, old insect infestation (no more danger), left foot missing, otherwise 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.

Statue of a standing protector, his arms alongside his torso. Eroded wood, fine patina. Nepal, early 20th C. Height: 44 cm. The statue is mounted on a custom stand. Left leg partly missing, otherwise good condition. NOTE: collected in 1974 by its former owner.

Very old anthropomorphic statue of a deity protecting a household, staying on a circular base, with an expressive face and hands in praying posture. Eroded wood, age patina. Nepal, 19th century. Height: 33.3 cm. The statue is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Collected in the early seventies in the Himalayan region.

Bronze statue of Bodhisattva Padmapani, standing, wearing diadem and dhoti. Right arm, left hand and feet missing. Fine patina. Gandhara Civilisation 1st to 3rd century. Height: 23,6 cm. The statue is nicely mounted on a custom stand.

Statue of Bodhisattva Manjusri, wearing formal robes and diadem, his hands in a rare posture that is similar to "buddhapatra mudra" (mudra of the bowl), sitting cross-legged. Lacquered and gold painted bronze. Tibet, 17th century, probably earlier. Height: 6 3/4" (17,2 cm). Old accident on left forearm and base, otherwise good condition.