Catalog (78)

Old ritual dagger ("phurpa"), beautifully carved to represent, from top to bottom, a protruding animal head, three deities busts, a stylized "vajra", and finally a stylized "makara" (water dragon) head on the three-blades point. The phurpa is made of wood, with a fine dark-brown patina. Nepal, early 19th century. Height: 9 3/4" (24,8 cm). The piece is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Chips at the top and bottom of the object, otherwise good condition. NOTE: Phurpas were and are still used...

Ritual dagger ("phurpa") formerly used by a shaman during religious ceremonies. Wood, with nice dark patina. Textiles attached on top with a chain. Old restoration with a forged metal point on the lower part of the dagger. Nepal, early 19th century. Height: 13 1/4" (32,5 cm). The phurpa is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Good condition.

Statue of a taoist dignitary, in formal attire, standing with a martial posture on an elevated base. Votive box still closed at the back. Wood, with remnants of superimposed layers of polychrome and gold painting. China, 19th century. Height: 13 " (32,5 cm). Left hand partly chipped, old insect infestation (no more danger), otherwise good condition.

Ritual dagger ("phurpa") formerly used by a shaman during ceremonies. The phurpa is made of wood, and is decorated in relief from top to bottom with three deities heads surmounted by a point, above geometric designs of chevrons and knots, themselves on top of the three blades decorated with snake design in relief. Nice dark-brown glossy patina. Several textile knots are affixed on the handle to "protect" the shaman's fingers from the magic strength of the phurpa. Nepal, 19th century. Height: 9"...

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...

Ancient mask of the traditional esoteric "Nuo" theater, representing the character of General Guanyu, wearing his helmet. Wood, with multiple superimposed polychrome pigments, meant to enhance the mask features, of which part is painted on paper glued to the mask. China, early 19th C. Height: 33 cm. The mask is mounted on a custom stand. Very good condition.

Pair of small Shiva lingam carved in dark marble. The first one, smaller, has part of its aureola missing. The other one is taller and more elaborate, with a double aureola and the Naga snake surmounting the lingam, and has small chips. India, early 19th century, maybe earlier. Heights: 6.7 and 9.3 cm.

Nicely cast ritual spoon, with a highly detailed statue on its top representing Hindu god Krishna standing on a stylised lotus and playing his flute, with a cow behind him. The spoon itself is decorated with two birds on its sides and a geometric design at its back. Copper with nice green patina. India, early 19th century. Height: 14.8 cm. The spoon is mounted on a custom stand to enhance its beauty. A rather rare piece of this size and condition.

Shaman's bracelet used during rituals meant to favor crops. Tha bracelet is decorated with two stylised men, each standing behind a plough drawn by two oxen. The rest of the decor consists in stylised plants and a circle (the sun?). The bracelet is made of bronze, with a beautiful patina. Himalayan Region, early 19th century, probably earlier. Inside diameter: around 8 cm. Very good condition. A very rare piece.

Statue of a Taoist deity ("fashi"), in formal attire, sitting on a throne, holding his commandment baton in his right hand and a bowl containing the lustral water in his left. Wood, coated with traces of polychrome painting. Votive box at the back, lid missing. China, early 19th century, maybe earlier. Height: 20.7 cm. Abrasion due to age otherwise very good condition.

Superb sutra book (Kammavaca) made of two book covers made of teak wood and 16 pages made of palm wood. The pages are written recto/verso, in Pali script lacquered with black tamarind seed on a gilt background and illuminations. The two covers are with red drawings representing celestial beings on a gilt background. Burma, early 19th century. Dimensions: length: 62 cm, height: 12 cm. Some signs of wear and use, tiny chip on one page (see photo), otherwise very good condition. Acquired from an an...

Small architectural ornament, carved in the shape of a Garuda, standing under a triangular platform with his wings open. Wood, fine dark patina. Nepal, 18th century, probably earlier. Height: 4 1/8" (10,5 cm). The piece is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Old traces of woodworm work (no danger), large chip on right side of platform, otherwise good condition. Note: in Hindu religion, Garuda is a demigod, half man half eagle, who carries god Vishnu.

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, ...

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 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.

Shamanic face mask of oval shape, with minimalistic features. Wood, traces of black resin under the nose for attachment of a mustache made of animal hair (now missing). Nice dark patina. Nepal, early 19th century, probably earlier. Height: 9 1/2" (24 cm). The mask is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Old accidents and chips, otherwise 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.

Ritual spoon used for Hindu religious ceremonies, of elongated shape, its top decorated with a relief representing Hanuman, the Monkey Hero of the Ramayana epic, with four arms, sitting on a lotus throne and backed by an aureola. The spoon is made of bronze, with a fine patina. The relief, also made of bronze, is affixed to the spoon with two copper rivets. Nepal, early 18th century. The piece is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Height (without stand): 11 1/2" (29,2 cm). Obvious signs of age, o...