Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Indian Subcontinent: Himalayas (104)

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.

Statue of a household protecting ancestor, sitting on a rounded base, his head with an unusual pointed top, his hands in "namaste" posture. Wood, with fine age patina. Nepal, 19th century. Height: 35 cm. Strong abrasion due to great age, otherwise good condition. Provenance: collected in Kathmandu in 1974.

Large circular plate beautifully and intricately decorated with concentric embossed designs, consisting in, on the front side, from the center to the rim: - in the center, a Citipati holding a skull in his left hand and a khatvangha in his right dancing on a lotus base and framed by a flaming mandorla, - a circle of tiny stylised Citipati, - a circle of skulls, - a wide circle containing two dragons facing the Flaming Pearl and two phoenixes below framing two deers facing the Wheel of the L...

Finely cast, with fine details, miniature statue of Bodhisattva Tara, the Buddhist Goddess of Compassion, wearing a diadem, a dhoti and jewelry, sitting on a lotus throne in "lila asana" posture with her right foot resting on a lotus flower. A lotus in full blossom is resting on each arm. Bronze, with nice age patina. Tibet, early 20th century. Height: 5.4 cm. Very good condition.

Brush case, nicely embossed with an openwork decoration representing three stylised Buddhist vajras on either side, surrounded with a foliage and geometric design. Silver alloy, with a fine age patina. The center of each vajra must have contained a coral or turquoise to enhance the beauty of the case. The case was made in Tibet in the 19th century, maybe earlier. Length: 33.5 cm. Very good condition .

Beautifully decorated book cover, of very refined gilded hammered copper on wood, with, on one side, two dragons with the "Ratna", or "Mani" (the Jewel of the Buddhist doctrine) in the middle, surrounded by stylised cloud motifs and framed in lotus design. On the other side, three handpainted Buddhist figures representing Manjushri, Chenresig and the Mahakala. These paintings have withstood the test of time a little less well than the front side...

Very rare heavy hardwood mask, with strong features in relief, an incised sacred trident on its forehead (the traditional weapon of Hindu god Shiva), round metal added eyes, large nose and mouth. Beautiful age patina, with traces of original pigments meant to enhance the mask features. Himalayan region, early 20th century. Height: 27 centimeters. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Old accidents which do not impair the mask beauty and unique quality, otherwise very good condition

Rare, unusual in this form, Himalayan shamanic mask, with eyes and mouth wide open, expressive features. This mask is strangely similar in aspect to antique Greek theater masks, though there is no known connection between both areas. The mask is made of wood, with a very fine dark brown glossy patina and obvious signs of great age, with traces of the oritginal colouring. Period: 19th century. Height: 29.5 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Good condition...

Statue of Maitreya, the Buddha of the Future, in monk's robes, sitting on a lotus throne, with a small stupa in his headdress, his hands holding a vase. The statue is made of copper, with a fine age patina. Tibet, 19th century. Height: 8.8 cm. Very good condition.

Citipati mask made of gilt embossed copper. Tibet, early 19th century. Height: 18.7 cm. Width: 22.2 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Obvious signs of age, otherwise 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.

Very rare and old mask, finely carved to represent Hanuman, half monkey half god, the deified hero of the famous Ramayana epic, with a vivid expression. Wood, with remnants of polychromy. Bhutan/Arunchal Pradesh, early 19th century. Height: 20.8 cm. Nicely mounted on a custom stand. Old insect infestation (no more danger), small crack at chin level, otherwise good condition.

Statue of Hindu god Indra, wearing a diadem, large earrings and a loin cloth, sitting in a variation of the virasana posture. He has the typical third eye on his forehead. His face reflects a profound inner serenity. The statue is made of gilt bronze, with a nice age patina and remnants of ritual material on the face. Nepal, early 19th century. Height: 24.5 cm. Old encrustations, otherwise very good condition.

Rare plate decorated with a relief design representing two intertwined Citipati dancing together on a lotus. Gilt copper, fine patina. Tibet, 19th century. Height: 39.4 cm. Very good condition.

Large mask representing the face of Mahakala with its typical terrifying expression, the features being carved in relief and the mouth in openwork showing teeth . At the top of the back of the head a small cylinder has been carved on a small platform. This cylinder was meant to contain a horse hair (often of white coulour), to decorate the mask. Wood, with obvious signs of great age and remains of woodworm attack (no more danger). Old accidents and old and local restorations on top of mask...

One point vajra, which belonged to a lower rank Buddhist lama. Bronze, with two old textile wrappings to protect fingers against the power of the thunderbolt. Tibet, early 19th century. Length: 21.5 cm. Abrasion due to great age, otherwise very good 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.

Wood mask, with strong features, of a Mahakala. Dark brown glossy patina. Bhutan, 19th century. Height: 28.5 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Very good condition. NOTE: collected in Nepal in 1978.

Statue of a standing guardian lion, cast in the typical style of Newar statuary. Bronze, dark green patina with reddish areas. Nepal, 18th century. Height: 8 cm. Length: 8 cm. Old accident on the tail, otherwise very good condition.

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.

Finely cast statue of Bodhidsattva Vajradhara, of typical Newari style, wearing diadem, necklace and dhoti, sitting on a double lotus throne,hands crossed on his breast, his left hand holding the bell, his right hand holding the vajra. Gilt bronze. Nepal, late Malla period, 16th century. Height: 7.2 cm. Gilding partly missing on some areas, otherwise very good condition.

Finely cast statue of Green Tara, of typical Newari style, wearing diadem and dhoti, sitting on a double lotus throne, a lotus flower on each shoulder, her left hand in "vitarka mudra", her right hand in "varada mudra", her right foot resting on a lotus flower protruding from the throne. Gilt bronze. Nepal, late Malla period, 16th century. Height: 8.3 cm. Gilding partly missing on some areas, otherwise very good condition.

Fine statue of Buddha, in monk's robes, standing on a circular base with a tenon beneath, his left hand holding the robe, his right arm alongside his leg. Bronze, with remnants of the original gilding. Nepal, 15th to 16th century, maybe earlier. Height: 8.3 cm. The statue is mounted on a plexi stand. Very good condition. NOTE: collected in situ in 1974.

Beautifully cast, with fine details, miniature statue of Bodhisattva Manjusri, sitting cross-legged on a lotus throne resting on a pedestal with a stylised lion on each side. A stylised book resting on a lotus surmounts his left shoulder, while his hand is holding the sword which kills ignorance. Gilt bronze, with fine patina. Tibet, 18th century. Height: 7.5 cm. Gilding partly missing, otherwise very good condition...

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.

Three Tantric paintings on paper representing various celestial beings in the Tibetan Tantric Buddhism. On the first painting are shown a cross-legged character holding a staff, surrounded by clouds and riding a chimera, and below, a group of four female characters. On the second painting, a male character riding a horse and holding a lotus, and below a female character in formal attire...

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.

Important mask of Mahakala, with a fierce expression, his forehead surmounted by a sort of diadem sustaining a range of tiny skulls . Finely embossed iron, with detailed features, and polychrome pigments to enhance some of the mask parts (eyes, teeth, skulls). A thin textile of red colour is affixed to the inside of the mask, probably to protect the dancer's face. Tibet, early 19th century.Height: 24 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. 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.

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...

Elaborate mask of Citipati, made of embossed, gilt and painted, bronze. Partly encrusted reddish-green patina. Tibet, 18th century. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Height (without stand): 26 cm. Very good condition. A very rare piece.

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.

Small statue of a protector, with a high coiffe, sitting on a rounded base, his hands in praying posture. Strongly eroded wood. Nepal, early 20th century or earlier. Height: 32 cm. The statue is nicely mounted on a custom stand.

Silver pot with an elaborate embossed decoration consisting in a dragon on its handle, a "makara" on its spout, Buddhist symbols on its neck, and dragons and stylized lotus on its body. Tibet, 19th century. Height: 14.5 ccm. 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.

Small Shiva lingam carved on black stone, with four deities heads in relief around the lingam. The object is eroded with age, and encrusted with remnants of ritual substances, but the decoration is still visible. Nepal, 15th century or earlier. Height: 6.5 cm. Length: 8 cm. Good condition.

Architectural element, of triangular form, finely carved in relief to represent a celestial being, half chimera half human, carrying a banner and surrounded by clouds. Wood, age patina. Nepal, 18th century. Length: 36.5 cm. Nicely mounted on a custom stand. Good condition.

Intricately decorated snuff bottle of baluster shape, with a detailed decoration in relief representing, from top to bottom, a geometric design around the neck, a monster on both sides holding a lozenge frame containing a lapis lazuli on one side and a coral on the other side, the foot representing a stylised lotus. The stopper is also made of silver with a lapis lazuli on its top, and a silver spoon. A small silver chain links the stopper to the body of the bottle...

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...

Architectural element --- probably the end of a beam --- carved in the shape of a stylized lion. Wood, with fine dark brown patina. Nepal, 18th century, maybe earlier. Length: 22 cm. Height: 10.5 cm. The back of the element was partly attacked by insects, but there is no more danger. The element is nicely counted on a custom stand. Good condition.

Miniature statue of Buddha Gautama, in formal attire, wearing diadem, a lotus flower beside each shoulder, his hands in "dharmacakra mudra", sitting cross-legged on a lotus throne. Bronze, with fine reddish-green patina. Tibet, 17th century, maybe earlier. Height: 4.9 cm. Erosion due to great age, otherwise very good condition. NOTE: This particular mudra symbolizes the "turning of the Wheel of the Law", one of the most important moments in the life of Buddha, the occasion when he preached to h...

Head of Citipati, made of embossed bronze with gilding on the front and red painting to enhance the eyes. Fine green patina in the recesses and on the back. The head is pierced on its top and lower side to allow not to be worn on a necklace that was used by a Tibetan lama or oracle particularly during the Cham ceremonies and dances. Tibet, early 19th century. Height: 7.5 cm. Very good condition.

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.

Finely cast small statue of Krishna depicted, according to tradition, as a mischievous boy, reclining and stealing the butter ball. Krishna is wearing a diadem, at the back of which is a loop suggesting that this statue was originally used as a pendant. Bronze, with with partly encrusted reddish green patina, with traces off ritual material. Nepal, 17th century. Length: 4.9 cm. height: 4.3 cm. Very good condition.

Gilt iron plate, of rounded triangular shape, finely cast in openwork, to represent a dragon in relief in clouds. Four coral inlays enhance the beauty of the plate. This plate is likely to have been part of a saddle decoration. Tibet, 18th century. The plate is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Length: 15.6 cm. Height: around 9 cm. Oxydation at the back due to age, otherwise very good condition.

Small statue of Buddha depicting an important stage of his life when, still as Siddhartha, he sat meditating for a long time almost without eating and became emaciated and close to death, before realizing that the way to seek the Truth was not to torture oneself. Siddhartha, with an aureola at the back of his head, sits on a semi-circular throne with a vajra in relief on its front. Gilt copper, with a fine patina. Tibet or China, 19th century, maybe earlier. Height: 8.5 cm. Gilding partly missi...

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.

Finely cast small statue of Green Tara, wearing diadem jewelry and dhoti, sitting in regal repose on a double lotus throne, her left hand holding a lotus flower. Tibet, 19the century. Height: 4 cm. Slight erosion on the gliding, otherwise very good condition.

Museum quality and very rare group of three statues representing Indra and his consorts. Indra is sitting in "vajrasana" on a lotus throne, his left hand resting on his knee , his right hand in "vitarka mudra". Indra has his forehead showing the third eye horizontally, and is wearing an elaborate crown, jewels and a "dhoti". A lotus is attached to each shoulder. The lotus on the right, supporting the typical "vajra", allows, together with the horizontal third eye, to identify the central statue ...

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.

Statue of Jambhala, also known as Kubera or Vaishravana, wearing necklace, dhoti and diadem, sitting on a double lotus throne, holding the mongoose that spits jewels in his left hand and a currency in his right hand. The statue may have had a mandorla affixed at its back in the past. Bronze, with green and reddish patina particularly under the statue. Tibet, early 19th century. Height: 7 cm. Very good condition. NOTE: Kubera is the Tibetan God of Wealth and Prosperity.

Statue of Bodhisattva Manjusri, the Budhist deity who fights ignorance, in formal attire, wearing diadem, sitting on a double lotus throne, his hands in teaching posture ("dharmachakra mudra"). Bronze, with remnants of the original lacquering and gilding. Tibet, 19th century. Height: 17.5 cm. Very good condition. IMPORTANT: owing to the heavy weight of the statue, please consult us on the shipping cost.

Statue of Bodhisattva Sadaksari Lokesvara, the four-armed deity seated in "dhyanasana" on a double lotus throne, his principal arms in prayer posture ("anjali mudra"), the other hands wearing the rosary (""ashamala") on the right side and a lotus of absolute purity on the left side. His head is sumounted by a stylized bust of Buddha Amithaba. The deity is wearing diadem, jewels and dhoti. The statue is made of gilt copper with turquoise and coral inserts. Tibet, 16th century. Height: 13 cm. Gild...

Mirror finely cast in the shape of a flaming "triratna", its stand framed by two small "apsaras". Bronze, with nice green and red patina. Traces of "tika" on some areas. Nepal, 18th century. Height: 20 cm. Erosion due to age, otherwise very good condition.

Salt box with its lid, of rectangular shape, decorated with incised geometric design on its sides, and geometric, partly in relief, design on its lid. An opening on the lid allows a spoon (now missing) to rest inside the box. Nepal, 19th century. Length: 18,7 cm. Height: 11 cm. Some erosion due to age, otherwise very good condition. Collected in Nepal in the early seventies.

Small architectural element with a finely carved relief decor showing a couple in erotic embrace. Wood, with nice patina. Nepal, early 17th century maybe earlier. Height: 26,5 cm. The piece is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Erosion due to great age, otherwise very good condition.

Finely cast vajra, or "dorje", with five prongs of which four are coming out of "makara" (water dragons) mouths, and the classic double lotus shaped center. Bronze, nice green patina. Tibet, 18th century.Length: 4 7/16" (11,3 cm). Very good condition.

Small statue of Green Tara, wearing diadem, necklace and dhoti, sitting "at ease" on a double lotus throne. Her right hand holds the "cintamani", the jewel which "grants wishes or satisfies all desires". Bronze, with fine green patina in the recesses. Tibet, 16th century or earlier. Height: 3 3/8" (8,5 cm). Strong erosion due to very old age, tiny losses at the base of the throne, otherwise very good condition. NOTE: Green Tara is seen as the Buddhist protector against all dangers.

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.

Small architectural element decorated in relief with Vishnu, in his other name as Anantashayana (meaning "reclining on Ananta"), resting on the many-headed serpent-king called Ananta "the endless". Vishnu is holding the conch ("shankha", symbol of the five existential elements) in both hands. Wood, with fine glossy patina. Nepal, early 17th century, maybe earlier. Height: 6" (15,2 cm). The relief is nicely mounted on a custom wood stand. Erosion due to great age, otherwise good condition.