Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art (460)

Ceramic "tenmoku" bowl of classical shape with thick rim and small base. Fine glazing of "hare fur" type, part of which has run down gracefully to the base. An old accident at a small area on the rim has been restored (see last two photos). China, Song Dynasty period. Height: 4,6 cm. Diameter: 10,7 cm.

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...

Belt buckle of square shape, with a fine relief geometric decoration. Bronze, with nice age patina. Burma, early 19th century, maybe earlier. Length: 9.5 cm. Height: 6.2 cm. 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.

Agate cylinder seal with an intricate incised design representing a king or deity facing right, surmounted by a bird, and facing a smaller character holding a weapon and standing on a pedestal surmounting a tiny character at its feet. Mesopotamia, ca. 2000 B.C. Height: 4.4 cm. Abrasion, tiny chips, otherwise very good condition.

Small seal cast in the shape of a tortoise standing on a square base. Archaic characters beneath. Bronze, with fine green patina. China, Ming Dynasty or earlier. Height: 2 cm. Width: 2.6 cm. Very good condition.

Small statue of a Judge of the Souls in Hell, in formal attire, sitting on a throne. Wood, with remnants of the original polychrome pigments on plaster. China, Ming Dynasty Period (1368-1644). Height: 7 3/4" (19,5 cm). Obvious signs of great age, otherwise good condition.

Fine oil lamp made of steatite, carved into the shape of a bird, with floral and geometric relief decor on the sides. Bactrian Civilisation, Ca. 2nd century B.C. Length: 16.5 cm. Height: 6.3 cm. Tiny chips, otherwise very good condition.

Flint and tinder pouch, in the shape of an envelope made of leather with a heavy steel lower edge, and a loop on top to allow suspension from the belt. Lavish silver and brass decoration with three turquoises in the middle. Tibet, 19th century. Length: 5 3/4" (14,7 cm). Obvious signs of age, wear and use, otherwise very good condition. A rather scarce object nowadays.

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...

Heavy bracelet decorated with a tiger head at each tip. Bronze, with partly encrusted green patina. Bactria, ca. 6th century B.C. maybe earlier. Inside diameter: around 9.5 cm. Very good condition.

Rosewood ("hongmu") of rectangular shape, its sides decorated with openwork carving representing classical geometric designs. China, 19th century. Length: 34 cm. Width: 16 cm. Height: 6.7 cm. Very good condition. NOTE: the table still bears the seal of the Chinese Cultural Relics and Antiques Department.

Head of a young man, wearing long hair. Bronze with fine patina. Gandhara Graeco-Buddhist art, 1st to 5th century. Height: 6.4 cm. The head is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Very good condition.

Steatite seal of square shape, with an engraved design representing a helmeted king riding a horse, surmounted by an undecipherable inscription. Indus Valley Civilisation, 2600-1900 B.C. Height: 3.7 cm. Some abrasion, otherwise very good condition.

Ancient censer, of circular shape, resting on three feet, decorated on all sides with dragons in relief "chasing the pearl" and, on two sides, with dragon heads. Bronze, fine green patina. Reign mark beneath, probably apocryphal (Ming Dynasty, Xuande reign). China, early 19th century. Height: 3 1/4" (8,5 cm). Diameter: 5 4/8" (14,5 cm). Very good condition.

A set of three 19th century Indian jeweler's moulds, made of bronze, each one representing a Hindu deity. The first one shows a female deity, maybe Sarasvati, with four arms, holding her four attributes in her hands, riding a horse and surrounded by foliage. An inscription is incised at the back of the mould. Height: 6.3 cm. The second mould shows god Khandoba (a form of Shiva), holding a sword, riding a horse together with his wife, and accompanied by a dog running under the horse...

Small plate with a finely cast relief decoration representing the bust of Hariti, the goddess of fertility and protector of children, holding holding a cornucopia. Bronze, with reddish-green patina. Gandhara Graeco-Buddhist art, 1st to 5th century. Height: 5 cm. Very 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...