Catalog (306)

Important and rare mask carved in wood fungus, of the tinder fungus type (fomes fomentarius), of rounded triangular form, with perforated oval eyes, incised mouth and nose in relief, probably added. Length: 30 cm. Height: 18.7 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Very good condition. NOTE: the tinder fungus is a parasite which grows particularly on the birch tree. This tree is highly venerated by numerous cultures with a shamanic tradition, because it is supposed to harbor deities...

Statue of a protecting deity or ancestor, standing on slightly bent legs, its hands in praying posture, its face expressing agressiveness. Patinated and eroded wood. Nepal, early 20th century. Height: 15" (38 cm). The statue is mounted on a custom metal stand.

Very old and nicely carved black mask, of typical conical coiffe and slightly smiling feminine face. Wood, fine patina. Africa, Gabon, Punu Peoples, Tsangui sub-group. Height: 13 1/4" (34 cm). Old accident on left side of coiffe, erosion due to age, otherwise very good condition. Ex. old French collection.

Small statue of an ancestor or protecting deity, wearing a ceremonial cap, holding a sort of square box with both hands and standing on a rounded base. Wood, light brown patina. Indonesia, Moluccas Archipelago. Height: 13 1/2" (34 cm). Strong erosion and old accidents due to old age. Ex. Old French collection. A rare piece.

Very old small "korwar", or funeral altar, representing a human figure with a huge head, standing on a rounded base, legs half bent, and holding with both hands an elaborated openwork shield. Wood, with fine age patina. Indonesia, Papua Province, Cenderawasi Bay. Height: 23.7 cm. Strong abrasion due to age, old accidents, otherwise good condition.

Unusual architectural element, carved in the form of a smiling man standing on the head of a water buffalo ("carabao"). This element was part of the decoration inside a house. Wood, semi glossy patina. Indonesia, Flores Island, mid 20th century. Height: 44 cm. The element is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Very good condition despite some remnants of insect infestation (no danger).

Old helmet mask, of typical form, with three faces surmounted by an elaborate coiffe. Wood, with fine age patina. Africa, Sierra Leone, Mende ethnic group. Height: 16 cm. Diameter: 17 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Obvious signs of use and age, otherwise very good condition.

Mask with a curved shape showing highly stylized features. Wood, with fine glossy brown patina. Nepal, early 20th century. Height: 28.7 cm. Small and old accidents, otherwise very good condition. A rare type of Himalayan mask.

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.

A fine Noh mask, with strong features, representing the character of Ayakashi, the malign aspect of a general killed in battle. Wood, with polychrome and gold painting, eyes made of brass. The mask is signed. Japan, early 20th century. Height: 21.7 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Very good condition. NOTE: The name "Ayakashi" also refers to an apparition with mysterious spiritual powers, or a vengeful sea-dwelling spirit. Perhaps the best known Noh play using Ayakashi is ""Fun...

Nicely carved mask with refined features which suggest a feminine mask. Ivory Coast/Liberia, Dan ethnic group, early 20th century. Height: 24.5 cm. The mask is mounted on a custom stand. Ols insect infestation (no danger), old cracks, otherwise very good condition. Provenance: old French collection.

Statue of Kuan Yin, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, wearing a diadem, a necklace and formal robes, sitting cross-legged, holding a bowl on her lap with both hands. Votive box at the back, lid missing. Wood, with traces of polychromy. China, Qing dynasty, early 20th century. Height: 29.5 cm. Soe light abrasion, otherwise very 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.

Statue of a Taoist exorcist ("yingong"), 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 polychrome painting. Animal hair used to represent the moustache and the beard. Votive box at the back, lid missing. China, early 20th century. Height: 25 cm. Painting partly flaking, otherwise very good condition.

Noh theater wood mask representing the character of Shakumi, a middle-aged woman. The loose strands of hair give her the careworn air of one who has suffered and survived countless trials. Note the slight sag to her cheeks and the creases on either side of her mouth. She often appears in the role of a mother. Japan, early 20th century. Height: 21 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. A few signs of use, otherwise very good condition.

Finely carved mask, with strong features and delicate painting meant to enhance the strength of the character it represents. The character depicted here is of Hashihime. The mask is made of wood, its eyes are made of metal. The mask is signed. Japan,Taisho and Early Showa Period (1912-1945). Height: 20.8 cm. Very good condition. NOTE 1: The most famous hashihime story comes from Tsurugi no Maki, in The Tale of the Heike, and is retold in the noh play Kanawa. NOTE 2:Here is the legend of Hashi...

Very large mask representing the Hindu god Hanuman, one of the heroes of the Ramayana epic. Small ears, eyes in relief, long nose and upper jaw, open pierced through mouth showing teeth, large lower jaw. Two large holes at eye level to allow the bearer of the mask to see. Wood, with brown semi-glossy patina. Himalayan Region, early 20th century, maybe earlier. Length: 13 3/4" (35 cm). The mask is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand which enhances its strange beauty and aspect. Very good condi...

Funeral mask in the shape of a skull, with a protruding tongue. Eroded wood, traces of lichen on some areas. Indonesia, Borneo Island, Bahau Dayak ethnic group. Height: 32 cm. he mask is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Obvious signs of great age, old accidents, otherwise good condition. A rare piece.