Catalog: Antiques (461)

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.

Fine Tibetan "damaru" (ritual drum), made of silver and leather. The silver part is in the form of two "kapala shaped" parts, separated by a central silver belt, decorated with several turquoise and coral inserts, to which the handle is attached. This silver part is lavishly decorated with an embossed relief design representing foliage and Buddhist symbols. The leather part is painted in green. Two cotton cords, ending in two small balls are also attached to the drum to strike it...

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.

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.

Rare half-mask of the esoteric Nuo theater representing a demon. Wood, with numerous perforations around the top of the forehead, above the eyes and below the nose in order to represent the hair, eyebrows and mustache. The mask was lacquered originally. It suffered an old accident which split it in two from top to bottom, but was restored a long time ago and locally with resin. Though the mask is more fragile than a mask without any accident, it is nevertheless strong enough now...

Large rock cristal seal of dome form, with an engraved design representing the bust of a helmeted king in profile. A vertical inscription is incised in front of the profile. Bactria, 4th century BC. Height of the dome: 2.6 cm. Height of the seal: 3.1 cm. Traces of soil encrustation. Tiny chips, otherwise very good condition.

A pair of square belt plaques, each with a relief decor of a musician sitting cross-legged on a small platform. Each plaque is backed by a flat unadorned plaque affixed to it by four pins, for attachment to the belt. Bronze, with large remnants of its original gilding and reddish green patina in some areas. China, Liao Dynasty Period (916-1125 A.D.). Width: 1 5/16" (3,3 cm). The pair is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Good condition. A fine and rare pair...

Mask of the traditional Noh theater representing the character of Obeshimi. Wood, with polychrome painting meant to enhance the features of the face. Japan, end of 19th century. Height: 20.2 cm. A few chips onthe painting, obvious signs of great age, otherwise good condition. NOTE: Obeshimi is used for Noh plays featuring "tengu", mythical demons that defy Buddhist law.

Superb "tsampa" bowl made of a wood core entirely covered with repoussé silver decorated in relief with the eight Buddhist symbols around its body surmounting a floral design. Beneath, a decoration representing a coiled dragon in relief framed by floral designs. Tibet, 19th century. Height: 2 3/16" (5,7 cm). Diameter: 4 1/2" (11,5 cm). A few dents, obvious signs of age, otherwise very good condition.

Small mask representing the face of a "lakhe", an celestial entity which protects humans and households against evil spirits. Wood, with beautiful dark patina. Himalayan Region, 18th century. Height: 5 1/4" (13,5 cm). The mask is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Old restoration at the back of the right eye, erosion due to age, otherwise very good condition. A rare piece in this size.

Embossed gilt copper plate, with fine details, representing a snarling snow lion, standing. Two small copper rivets above the back of the lion. Tibet, early 19th century, maybe earlier. Height: 7 cm. Length: 8.3 cm. The plate is nicely mounted on a custom wood stand. Very good condition. Collected in Nepal in 1978.

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.

Statue of Guanyu, the general of Liu Bei, which was transformed into the famous Guangong, the Taoist God of War. Guanyu is shown here in full military garb, with helmet and armor, sitting on an elevated throne. Votive box at the back, still closed. Wood, with remnants of superimposed painting, lacquering and gilding. China, 19th century. Height: 24.7 cm. Painting and lacquering partly flaked, otherwise very good condition.

Noh theater mask, with a vivid fierce expression, representing the character of Otobide. Wood, painted in gold, silver, black and red to enhance the mask features. Japan, 19th century. Height: 21.2 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Old accidents and restorations, otherwise good condition.

Fragment of a relief carved in marble to represent a flying "apsara". China, Tang dynasty, 10th century. Height: 12.5 cm. The piece is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Good condition. Provenance: French auction sale 1992.

Statue of a Taoist deity, in formal attire, standing on a rectangular base on which a chimera or a dog is carved in relief. Two votive boxes, their lids missing, at the back. Wood, nice semi-glossy patina. China, Ming Dynasty period. Height: 12 1/2" (32 cm). The statue is mounted on a custom wood stand. Some loss at the base, chips, otherwise very good condition.

Architectural ornament in relief representing the Hindu God Virabhadra, an avatar of Shiva, standing, wearing formal cap and "dhoti", his face showing a fierce expression underlined by the fangs protruding from his mouth, holding a sword in his left hand and a shield in his right hand. Wood, with fine reddish-brown patina. India, 18th century. Height: 29" (71 cm). The piece is nicely mounted on a custom wood stand. Feet missing, chips in some areas, age cracks, otherwise good condition...

Cylinder seal finely engraved to represent a human being holding a bird in each hand and standing beside a couple of winged chimeras each with a human head and surmounted by a bird with two heads. Bronze with green patina. Bactria, Ca. 4th century BC. Height: 3 cm. Very good condition. NOTE: this rare seal may come from Mesopotamia, or be inspired from its art.

Pair of ancient paintings on cotton, with polychrome colours and gold. The first painting represents a noble man in formal attire and sitting on a throne. The second painting represents a noble lady, in formal attire, sitting on an throne . Sizes 95 X 49 cm for both paintings. Very fine details and delicate rendering of faces and textiles. China, Qing Dynasty, 19th century. Acquired from a Hong Kong antique dealer in 1987.

Small statue of Kuan Yin, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, wearing a diadem and formal robes, sitting on a double lotus throne, her right hand in abhaya mudra. Gilt bronze, with fine dark green patina. China, 19th century. Height: 8.8 cm. Gliding partly missing, otherwise every good condition.

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.

Statue of a sitting protector, with squarish features, his hands in praying posture. Strongly eroded wood, with remnants of kaolin on some areas. Nepal, 19th C. Height: 39 cm. The statue is mounted on a custom stand. NOTE: collected in 1974 by its former owner.

Small statue of Buddha Sakyamuni, sitting cross-legged on an elevated throne, his hands in "bhumisparsa mudra", backed by a seven-headed stylized Naga sacred snake. Bronze with traces of the original gilding. Partially encrusted patina of green and reddish color. Burma, 18th century or earlier. Height: 10,5 cm. Good condition.

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.

Small reliquary box, of cylindrical shape, with its cupola shaped lid ending in a decorated point at its top. The body of the box is decorated with three heads of Buddha in relief and three stars themselves in relief, surmounting a geometric design also in relief. Silver alloy, with a fine age patina. Remnants of soil encrustations. Pakistan, Graeco-Buddhist art, Gandhara Period, Ca. 1st to 3rd century. Height: 7.8 cm. Good condition.

Statue of a standing eagle with an alert posture, its beak slightly open. Gilt bronze, encrusted green patina in some areas. Tibet, 17th century. Height: 3 1/8" (8 cm). The statue is nicely mounted on a custom black plexi stand. Very good condition. A rare piece.

Ancient Buddhist book of sutras comprising of two thick lacquered and gilt cardboard covers decorated with 16 Buddhas sitting on a throne with their hands in bhumisparsa mudra posture. The central Buddha is flanked by two smaller buddhas, and at their feet are two small praying monks. The book has 42 X 2 pages (written on two sides) written in black characters. Burma, 19th century. Length: 15 1/2" (39 cm)...

Small altar comprising of a statue of Green Tara sitting in regal repose on a lion, with a small statue of a worshipper on her lower right side, the whole group surmounting an elevated throne on four legs with, at the back, a large mandorla on the upper side of which stands a small Buddha in relief. Ancient inscription at the back of the mandorla (see photo). Bronze, with green and reddish patina in the recesses. India, 16th century or earlier. Height: 5 1/8" (13,4 cm)...

Architectural element (part of a beam, or a corner), nicely carved in relief and representing Garuda, the vehicle of Hindu god Vishnu, half-bird, half-man, in his anthropomorphic appearance. Heavy wood (probably from the Southern part of Nepal), dark patina. Nepal, 19th century or earlier. Height: 13" (34 cm); The piece is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. A few chips, otherwise very good condition.

Statue of a snarling deity sitting on a rounded triangular base. Bronze, with partly encrusted green and red patina. Indonesia, Borneo Island, Dayak Peoples. Height: 6 3/8" (16 cm). Very good condition. A rare piece. Note: the statue was acquired in Indonesia in 1974.

Head of Buddha, surmounted by a flaming usnisa, its face with lowered eyes reflecting a deep inner serenity. Bronze, with slightly encrusted patina of dark-green color. Thailand, Nan Chao Kingdom, 8th to 13th century. The head is nicely mounted on a custom wood stand. Height (without stand): 3 3/4" (9,5 cm)...

Shakudo tsuba with a relief decor representing foliage and flowers, with gilt highlights on a background of tiny dots. The tsuba is unsigned. Japan, late Edo period. Height: 7.2 cm. Very good condition despite a slight erosion all over the piece. Sold with its box.

Small statue of Buddha wearing a diadem, in a meditative posture ("dhyana mudra"), holding a stylized beggar bowl in his hands, sitting cross-legged on a double lotus throne. Bronze, with thick encrusted green patina. Tibet, 16th century. Height: 5 1/2" (14 cm). Diadem partly chipped, a few tiny casting defects, otherwise very good condition. A rather unusual aspect of the Buddha image.

A superb tea kettle, its body made of copper, its handle and spout made of bronze and cast in the shape of dragons. On the lid , around the neck and at the base of the spout, a silver repoussé floral decoration. A chain links the lid to the body...

Censer in the shape of a standing lion. Bronze, with encrusted green patina. Strong Persian aesthetic influence. Bactria and Margiana Civilisation (2300 - 1700 B.C.). Length: 11.3 cm. Height: 10.2 cm. Very good condition.

Statue of Hindu goddess Durga, standing on a circular base, with her multiple arms, killing the demons. Bronze, with fine age patina. India, 15th/16th century. Height: 10.2 cm. Right hand missing, abrasion due to great age, otherwise very good condition