Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Indian Subcontinent (154)

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 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.

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...

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...

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...

Architectural element with an unusual decoration representing a bird with a human head. Wood, fine age patina. India, early 19th century, maybe earlier. Height: 18.8 cm. Very good condition. A rare piece.

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.

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...

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.

Head of Bhairava with a fierce expression, wearing a crown of skulls, with flying hair. A small opening in the mouth allowed the insertion of a pipe (now gone), through which consecrated beer was flowing. Two loops at the back for attachment. Wood, with traces of red ritual material. Nepal, 19th century, maybe earlier. Height: 13" (33 cm). The head is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Very good condition.

Small statue of Hindu God Vishnu, with four arms of which two are holding his attributes, standing on an elevated lotus base. Bronze, fine dark green patina. India, 19th century. Height: 3 1/8" (8 cm) Base slightly bent, otherwise very 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.

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.

Statue of Hanuman, the Monkey Gos, hero of the Ramayana epic, in formal attire, standing on a rectangular pedestal, his hands in praying posture. The statue and the pedestal were cast separately. The statue may thus be removed from the pedestal. Bronze, with fine dark-green patina. India, 19th century. Height: 4 5/8" (11,7 cm). 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 .

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.

Wooden ornament, carved in relief on wood, representing Hindu god Kartikeya, with six heads, holding a spear in his right hand, riding his peacock, in a niche, flanked by two other niches in which are shown his two wives, Devasena and Valli. The two other niches are surmounted each by a kala makara (dragon) head. The whole scene is resting on two feet, each decorated in relief with a foliage design. India, 19th century, maybe earlier. Height: 49 cm...

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.