Catalog (313)

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.

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...

Dry lacquer Noh mask depicting the character of Kokushiki-Jo and designed to represent divine blessings. Inscription at the back of the mask. Japan, early 20th century, maybe earlier. Height: 20.4 cm. Some chips around the rim, partly flaked lacquer, otherwise good condition. NOTE: This mask is used exclusively in "Okina", an ancient dance ritual said to be close to the roots of Noh. Okina is viewed as sacred and therefore accorded a different status from other items in the Noh repertoire. Lack...

Very well hollowed out and beautiful moss agate snuff bottle, with a "tao tie" mask carved in relief on each side. Bronze stopper with turquoise inlays, bone spoon. China, 19th century. Height (without stopper)/ 2 1/2" (6,4 cm). Tiny chips around rim, otherwise very good condition. NOTE: this snuff bottle is so light that is is supposed to float on the surface of water...

Mosaic glass pendant in the shape of a bearded head, surmounted by a large loop for attachment to a necklace. Phenicia, or Carthage, archaic period, 350 to 200 B.C. Height: 6.1 cm. Barely visible old accident, superbly restored, otherwise very good condition. NOTE: similar pendants are shown in the Antique Glass Collection of the Louvre Museum in Paris. Publications: "Les verres antiques du Musee du Louvre", Louvre Editions, Paris 2011.

Mokkogate samurai sword guard (tsuba) made of shibuishi with gold inserts, with katakiri decor representing on one side a monk sitting and holding a brush and surrounded by clouds and on the other side a dragon emerging from clouds. The tsuba is signed. Japan, Edo Period, 18th/19th century. Diameter: 6.7 cm. the tsuba is offered in its original box. Very good condition. Provenance: Old Canadian collection. Auction sale Tajan, in Paris, December 14th 2015.

Finely cast, with nice details, miniature statue of bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, standing on a lotus base, his left hand holding what seems to be a gourd. Bronze, with encrusted reddish green patina, with traces of the original gilding. China, Tang Dynasty. Height: 5.6 cm. The statue is nicely mounted on a custom wood stand. Good condition.

Finely cast miniature statue of a Lokapala, wearing armor, standing in martial posture on a rock. Gilt bronze, nice patina. China, Tang Dynasty. Height: 5 cm. The statue is mounted on a plexi stand. Very good condition.

Small "ghau", the front side, made of bronze, is decorated with a foliage and lotus design, the box itself ans its lid being made of copper with bronze handles. The "ghau" contains a tiny bronze statue of Bodhisattava Manjusri and textile. Fine age patina. A leather cord allows attachement of the "ghau" to a belt. Tibet, 19th century. Very good condition.

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.

Altar dedicated to Hanuman, the Hindu semi-god, carved in openwork relief to represent Hanuman standing with a martial attitude, carrying a club in his left hand and an uprooted tree in his right hand, and trampling a supine figure, probably a demon. Marble, with traces of red pigments. India, 18th century. Height: 13.7 cm. Abrasion due to age, otherwise very good condition.

A finely carved male ibeji, with typical coiffe, scarifications on the abdomen and the back, arms alongside the torso, standing on a rounded base. Wood, with nice dark brown semi glossy patina. Africa, Nigeria/Benin, Yoruba ethnic group. Height: 30 cm. Very good condition. Provenance: Old French provincial collection.

Face mask of oval shape, with typical cubistic features. Wood, dark-brown patina, remnants of kaolin around the eyes. Africa, R.D. Congo (ex. Zaire), Lwalwa Peoples. Height: 11 5/8" (29,7 cm). The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Old accident locally restored on top of coiffe, otherwise very good condition.

Large snuff bottle, made of silver, of circular and flat shape, lavishly decorated with animal, floral and geometric design on one side and foliage, lotus and geometric design on the other side. Tiny silver stopper at the end of a small spout on top of the bottle. Opening on one side to allow access to the tobacco powder, with relief stylised lotus decor, on one of the two sides. Fine patina. Tibet, 19th century. Height: 11 cm. Very good cndition.

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...

Jeweler's mould, used to make gold or silver jewelry, decorated in relief inside to represent a dancing Hindu female deity ("deva"). Bronze with nice green and reddish patina. India, early 18th century. Diameter: 2 4/8" (6,7 cm). Very good condition.

A five prong vajra or dorje. Bronze, with fine reddish green patina. Japan, 18th century. Length: 13 cm. Very good condition.

Mottled green jade snuff bottle, of rounded flat shape. Silver and bronze stopper with a coral insert on its top. Spoon missing. China, 19th century. Height of the bottle without its top: 6,3 cm. Tiny chip on the rim, otherwise very good condition.

Snuff bottle of rectangular shape with nice beveled sides. Jade, with beautiful brown inclusions. Silver stopper with coral inlays, silver spoon. China, early 19th century. Height (without stopper): 2 11/16" (6,7 cm). Tiny chip at base, otherwise good condition. Ex. old French collection.

Small screen of rectangular shape, with an engraved decor of foliage and flowers. Slightly mottled jade. The screen is resting on an elaborated wood stand. China, 19th century. Height of the screen: 8 cm. Total height including the stand: 12.5 cm. Very good condition.

Girdle ornament of rounded rectangular shape, with geometric design, of Han period style, around both sides. Light green jade, with soil encrustations on a few areas. China, Qing Dynasty, ca. 18th century. Length: 6.4 cm. Width: 4.6 cm. Thickness: 7mm. Signs of wear due to age, otherwise very good condition.

Disk decorated inside with carved geometric and interlaced designs. White jade, with rusty spots. China, Qing Dynasty period or earlier. Diameter: 3" (7,5 cm). Very good condition.

Belt hook nicely carved in the shape of a dragon. Light green jade. China, 19th century or earlier. Length: 9,2 cm. Remnants of soil encrustations suggesting a rather long stay underground, otherwise very good condition.

Netsuke nicely carved to represent a man standing with a slightly mischievous expression and posture. Ivory, with a fine age patina. Japan, mid Edo Period. Height: 5.9 cm. Minute age cracks (absolutely no damage), slight erosion, otherwise very good condition.

Snuff bottle of flat circular form, the body itself made of ivory. The bottle has a silver neck with an intricate decoration affixing it to the body. It also has an opening at its center with round silver relief decor mount, the lid ending in a coral top. On one side, another relief decoration representing a four sided dorje with a loop for attachment to a belt. Tibet, 19th century. Diameter: 5 cm. Stopper and spoon missing, otherwise very good condition. Provenance: Old French collection. A rar...

A fine cricket cage, composed of a body made from a gourd and a rim and lid made of ivory. The lid itself is nicely carved to represent a lotus and foliage around surmounting an openwork geometric design. Its silk case, partly damaged, is joined to the cage. China, 19th century. Length: 7.8 cm. Very good condition.

Finely cast statue of Bodhisattva Manjusri, in formal attire, his face showing a half smile, sitting in "rajalila asana" on a chimera or highly stylized lion, both resting on an elevated lotus throne. China, Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Height: 9 1/8" (23,3 cm). Iron, with partly encrusted patina. Obvious signs of great age, strong oxydization in some areas, otherwise very good condition. A very fine statue. NOTE: "rajalila asana" is the king's posture. It is sometimes used on bodhisattvas statues....

Five-tier inro made of paulownia decorated with a red and black lacquer design of chrysanthemums, with remnants of the original gilding. wood ojime in the shape of a human skull, simple wood netsuke carved in to a circle. Japan, 18th century. Height 3" (7,5 cm). Overall wear due to age, otherwise good condition.

Dance mask,of the "zakpai" type, with typical red textile around the eyes and lips. Wood, fine dark semi-glossy patina. Eyes circled with white metal. Hair arranged in braids made of weaved rope, likewise the long beard. Teeth made of animal claws. Africa, Ivory Coast/Liberia, Dan ethnic group. Total height: 44 cm. Height of mask: 24 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a metal custom stand. Obvious signs of long use and wear, otherwise very good condition. Provenance: old French collection. NOTE...

Embossed pendant decorated with two figures of deities, one male wearing a dhoti and the other, a female, entirely naked, each with an aureola, standing in front of what seems to be an altar. A loop on top allowed attachment to a necklace. The pendant is made of 18 K gold, with remnants of soil encrustations. Graeco-Buddhist art, Gandhara, 1st to 3rd century. Height: 5.5 cm. Lower part slightly bent (no damage), otherwise very good condition. Provenance: acquired from a Paris antique dealer in 1...

Beautifully carved relief fragment representing the head of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, wearing a diadem on which appears a small Buddha Amithaba in meditation sitting on a lotus throne and surrounded by foliage. Avalokiteshvara has a third eye, and a necklace. Stone, with some abrasion. Gandhara Graeco-Buddhist period (1st to 5th century). Height: 18.5 cm. The head is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Very good condition. Provenance: 1) collection of a French diplomat who stayed in Pakistan ...

Statue of Duowen Tian Wang, the Heavenly King of the North, elaborately dressed, wearing a diadem, holding the end of a ribbon with his left hand and a Buddhist scepter resting on a lotus in his right hand. The statue is standing on an square pedestal. The piece was originally lacquered, painted and gilt. Part of the lacquering is flaked, revealing the bronze oxydation. The statue was cast in China during the early Qing Dynasty, in the 18th century. Height: 37 cm. Very good condition.

Realistic and superbly cast statue of a Taoist dignitary, standing in formal attire, holding an archaic vessel with both hands, with a slight smile on his face. Bronze, encrusted patina, traces of gilding in some recesses. China, Qing Dynasty, early 18th century, probably earlier. Height: 7" (17,7 cm). Old dent on the upper part of the back, otherwise very good condition. A rare piece.

Statue of Buddha Sakyamuni, in monk's robes, standing on an elevated circular base, his hands in abhaya and varada mudra. Bronze with nice, partly encrusted patina. China, Tang Dynasty. Height: 11.7 cm. Very good condition.

Statue of Buddha Amithaba or Amitayus, wearing an unusual diadem, jewelry and dhoti, sitting cross-legged on an elevated throne backed by a flaming mandorla, holding the elixir of immortality in his hands. Bronze, with a fine reddish-green patina. This statue is a Sino-Tibetan work, dating late 18th century/early 19th century. Height: 18.5 cm. Very good condition. Provenance: acquired from a Hong Kong antique dealer in 1978.

Buddhist Stupa mounted on an elephant. The stupa is composed of four parts which were carved separately in rock crystal. Graeco-Buddhist art, Gandhara, ca. 3rd century. Height: 8.8 cm. Old accident locally restored, otherwise very good condition. A rare piece.