Catalog (551)

Tibetan snuff bottle of flat shape made of silver with a lavish embossed decor representing Tibetan Tantric Budhism deities, fistly Acala, one of the eight Dharmapalas holding a sword in his right hand on one side, and secondly one of the Dakinis on the other side. Each deity is gilt and backed by a flaming aureola surrounded by a floral design. Other parts of the bottle are partly gilt. The bottle also shows coral and turquoise inserts. The stopper is partly gilt and is decorated with a stylise...

A pair of important books on Samurai, their history, fighting techniques, armour and weapons. The first book is "Secrets of the Samurai" published in 1973 by Charles E. Tuttle Company Inc. of Rutland, Vermont, USA. This book is a definitive study of the martial arts of feudal Japan, illustrating in detail the weapons, tecfhniques, strategies and principles of combat that made the Japanese warriors a terrible foe. Profusely illustrated in 464 pages, this study provides and insight into the variou...

"Ancient India", Bulletin of the Archeological Survey of India, number 17, Year 1961. Edited and published by the Director General of Archaeology in India, New Delhi. Printed by the Job Press Ltd., Kanpur. 8 3/8"x10 11/16" (21,5x27 cm). 85 pages. Numerous drawings, maps and photos. A series of articles on the archeology of India, Afghanistan and Pakistan, by British and Indian field experts, published in the mid forties to the early sixties. Contents described on cover (see photo 1). Back slight...

"Ancient India", Bulletin of the Archeological Survey of India, numbers 18 and 19, Years 1962 and 1963. Edited and published by the Director General of Archaeology in India, New Delhi. Printed by the Job Press Ltd., Kanpur. 8 3/8"x10 11/16" (21,5x27 cm). 250 pages. Numerous drawings, maps and photos. A series of articles on the archeology of India, Afghanistan and Pakistan, by British and Indian field experts, published in the mid forties to the early sixties. Contents described on cover (see ph...

Important mask of the "kiwoyo muyombo" type, of elongated shape, with a protruding forehead and fine features, surmounted by a highly stylized cylindrical coiffe, and a long "beard" decorated in relief with bicolored lozenges and framed by weaved bamboo slices. Fine glossy patina. Africa, Gabon, Pende Peoples. Height: 45 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Small losses, otherwise very good condition.

Feminine figure of the "ekwotame" type, of typical face, with a squarish neck, sitting on a circular stool, her hands on her knees. Scarifications alongside the abdomen. Wood, with black and white pigments. Africa, Nigeria, Benue river region, Idoma ethnic group. Height: 63 cm. Some erosion, small losses, otherwise very good condition. Shipping charges: 50 euros worldwide.

very bn

Pua kumbu woven on cotton to represent chimeras, birds together with foliage and geometric design. Natural red, brown and blue colours. Sarawak (Eastern Malaysia), Iban peoples. Length: 220 cm. Width: 117 cm. Very good condition. Acquired in Singapore in 1978.

Pua kumbu woven on cotton to represent chimeras, birds together with foliage and geometric design. Natural red, brown, white and blue colours. This pua kumbu is made of two parts stitched together. Sarawak (Eastern Malaysia), Iban peoples. Length: 228 cm. Width: 107 cm. Very good condition. Acquired in Singapore in 1978.

A finely carved lime box, its body in the form of a cone surmounting a flaring cylinder, decorated with three levels of an elaborate geometric design which is changing at each level. The stopper itself is decorated with two human heads back to back surmounting the neck adorned with a necklace. A bone spoon and a bone point are attached to the stopper, the link adorned with wood beads and tiny old glass beads. Fine age patina. Indonesia, Timor island. Height: 16.5 cm. Very good condition.

"Ancient India", Bulletin of the Archeological Survey of India, number 7, January 1951 - January 1949. Edited and published by the Director General of Archaeology in India, New Delhi. Printed by the Job Press Ltd., Kanpur. 8 3/8"x10 11/16" (21,5x27 cm). 85 pages. Numerous drawings, maps and photos. A series of articles on the archeology of India, Afghanistan and Pakistan, by British and Indian field experts, published in the mid forties to the early sixties. Contents described on cover (see phot...

"Ancient India", Bulletin of the Archeological Survey of India, number 8, Year 1952. Edited and published by the Director General of Archaeology in India, New Delhi. Printed by the Job Press Ltd., Kanpur. 8 3/8"x10 11/16" (21,5x27 cm). 85 pages. Numerous drawings, maps and photos. A series of articles on the archeology of India, Afghanistan and Pakistan, by British and Indian field experts, published in the mid forties to the early sixties. Contents described on cover (see photo 1). Worn but goo...

"Ancient India", Bulletin of the Archeological Survey of India, number 9, Year 1953. Special Jubilee Number reviewing the 1902-1952 period. Edited and published by the Director General of Archaeology in India, New Delhi. Printed by the Job Press Ltd., Kanpur. 8 3/8"x10 11/16" (21,5x27 cm). 249 pages and 122 plates. Numerous drawings, maps and photos. A series of articles on the archeology of India, Afghanistan and Pakistan, by British and Indian field experts, published in the mid forties to the...

"Ancient India", Bulletin of the Archeological Survey of India, number 10 and 11, Years 1954 and 1955. Edited and published by the Director General of Archaeology in India, New Delhi. Printed by the Job Press Ltd., Kanpur. 8 3/8"x10 11/16" (21,5x27 cm). 193 pages. Numerous drawings, maps and photos. A series of articles on the archeology of India, Afghanistan and Pakistan, by British and Indian field experts, published in the mid forties to the early sixties. Contents described on cover (see pho...

"Ancient India", Bulletin of the Archeological Survey of India, number 12, Year 1956. Edited and published by the Director General of Archaeology in India, New Delhi. Printed by the Job Press Ltd., Kanpur. 8 3/8"x10 11/16" (21,5x27 cm). 118 pages. Numerous drawings, maps and photos. A series of articles on the archeology of India, Afghanistan and Pakistan, by British and Indian field experts, published in the mid forties to the early sixties. Contents described on cover (see photo 1). Worn but g...

"Ancient India", Bulletin of the Archeological Survey of India, number 13, Year 1957. Edited and published by the Director General of Archaeology in India, New Delhi. Printed by the Job Press Ltd., Kanpur. 8 3/8"x10 11/16" (21,5x27 cm). 145 pages. Numerous drawings, maps and photos. A series of articles on the archeology of India, Afghanistan and Pakistan, by British and Indian field experts, published in the mid forties to the early sixties. Contents described on cover (see photo 1). Back sligh...

"Ancient India", Bulletin of the Archeological Survey of India, number 14, Year 1958. Edited and published by the Director General of Archaeology in India, New Delhi. Printed by the Job Press Ltd., Kanpur. 8 3/8"x10 11/16" (21,5x27 cm). 143 pages. Numerous drawings, maps and photos. A series of articles on the archeology of India, Afghanistan and Pakistan, by British and Indian field experts, published in the mid forties to the early sixties. Contents described on cover (see photo 1). Back sligh...

"Ancient India", Bulletin of the Archeological Survey of India, number 15, Year 1959. Edited and published by the Director General of Archaeology in India, New Delhi. Printed by the Job Press Ltd., Kanpur. 8 3/8"x10 11/16" (21,5x27 cm). 99 pages. Numerous drawings, maps and photos. A series of articles on the archeology of India, Afghanistan and Pakistan, by British and Indian field experts, published in the mid forties to the early sixties. Contents described on cover (see photo 1). Back slight...

Standing female figurine, with typical coiffe and elongated head, scarifications on face and torso, arms alongside and separated from torso, small breasts, straight legs and big stylized feet. Wood, fine dark-brown semi-glossy patina. Africa, D.R. Congo, Mangbetu Peoples. Height: 11 7/8" (30 cm). The statue is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Old accident on left shoulder (local restoration), erosion, otherwise good condition.

Rare "Mbangu" deformity mask, showing a distorted face. Wood, with traces of black and white pigments. Africa, Gabon, Pende Peoples. Height: 12" (30 cm). The mask is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Old accident restored locally, chips, age cracks, otherwise good condition. NOTE: Representations of distorted faces are rare in African art. They symbolize the effects of epileptic crisis, which are supposed to be a manifestation of the spirits. The use of black and white pigments enhances th...

Finely carved dance crest representing a female bust with an elaborate coiffe. Wood, with glossy dark-brown patina. Africa, Nigeria, Idoma Peoples. Height: 11 1/8" (28,2 cm). The piece is nicely mounted on a custom bronze stand. Old insect infestation (no danger), otherwise very good condition. Ex. old French collection.

Long mask of the "Kiwoyo Muyombo" type, with typical face and long "beard" underneath covered with bicolored lozenge relief design in a bamboo slice framing . Wood, remnants of pigments, fine glossy patina. Africa, Gabon, Pende Peoples. Height: 18" (45 cm). Chips on some areas, otherwise very good condition.

Black mask with an unusual slightly conical coiffe. Africa, Gabon, Punu Peoples. Height: 12 " ( 30 cm). The mask is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Old accidents and infestations (no danger), otherwise good condition. NOTE 1: A similar mask is in the Dapper Museum collection in Paris, published in "Masques" Editions Dapper 1995, 2000, 2006 Paris, page 89. NOTE 2: Punu masks are worn during funerals by members of the "Mukuji" Society and are meant to represent ancestors.

Ritual spoon, its handle carved in the shape of a male ancestor wearing cap and bracelets on arms and legs. A very rare feature is that the ancestor is also wearing a Christian cross at the end of a long necklace. Indonesia, Flores Island. Height: 8 7/16" (21,5 cm). Old accident, restored locally, at the junction between the spoon and the handle, tiny chips, otherwise good condition. A truly rare piece.

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.

Tattoo ink container of cylindrical shape decorated with a monkey in relief, in a rather aggressive posture, holding the container with its four paws. Wood, with a fine dark brown patina. The piece is nicely mounted on a custom plexi stand. Height (without stand): 6.5 cm. Old restoration on one of the limbs (almost invisible), otherwise very good condition.

Fertility doll, called "akuaba", with its typical cross shape and flat circular head. Wood, with fine glossy patina. Africa, Ghana, Ashanti ethnic group. Height: 10" (26 cm). Old insect infestation at the back lower part (no danger), otherwise very good condition.

Nicely carved feminine fetish with a fine coiffe, serene face with lowered lids, elongated neck, holding her breasts with both hands, and showing scarifications around her belly. Wood, with fine dark glossy patina. A piece of old textile of red color is meant to represent a skirt. Africa, D.R. Congo, Luba ethnic group. Height: 9 3/8" (23,7 cm). The figurine is mounted on a custom metal stand. Remnants of old insect infestation, (no danger), otherwise very good condition.

Architectural element which was probably the top part of a household altar. This element --- which represents a protecting ancestor head surmounted by a symbolic coiffe --- is resting on a squarish base. The piece is made of wood with a nice age patina. Indonesia, Leti Island. Height: 57 cm. Partial loss on the top, erosion, otherwise very good condition. Provenance: old French provincial collection. IMPORTANT: owing to the size and weight of the piece, please consult us on the shipping cost. ...

Statue of an ancestor or deity designed for the protection of a household, standing in a praying posture, with a very expressive face. Wood, age patina. Nepal, early 20th century. Height: 4é cm. The piece is mounted on a custom metal stand. Age cracks, some erosion, otherwise very 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...

Household protector made of wood, carved to represent two Janus type heads surmounted by horns. This protector was installed on top of a house roof. Beautiful age patina. Indonesia, Timor Island. Height: 26 cm. The piece is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Very good condition. NOTE/ The piece is heavy, so please consult us for the shipping cost.

Helmet mask of Janus shape, showing two busts surmounted by fierce looking faces, each one very different from the other one. The mask is made of wood covered with animal skin, with a rattan base allowing fixation to the top of the dancer's head. Beautiful dark brown glossy patina. Africa, Nigeria, Ekoi ethnic group. Height: 21 cm. Very good condition. Provenance: old European collection.

Head of a funeral statue, carved from wood, in the typical aesthetic style of the Batak sculpture. Fine age patina. Indonesia, Sumatra Island, Batak ethnic group. Height: 30 cm. Obvious signs of wear and age, otherwise good condition. A rather scarce object.

Female figurine, with typical flaring coiffe, hands posture, scarifications all over the body and truncated legs. Wood,eroded with age, with remnants of polychrome pigments. Africa, R.D. Congo, Kuba Peoples, Dengese sub-group. Height: 37 cm. Old restoratins, otherwise good condition.

Finely carved chief sceptre with a genie sitting on its top, surmounting a squatting ancestor, under which are geometric relief designs leading to the lower part. Wood, with nice glossy patina. Old porcelain ball attached with a small cotton rope to the top of the genie's head. Indonesia, Borneo Island, Dayak ethnic group. Height: 38,.5 cm. The piece is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Very good condition. A rare piece.

Bi faced "ghurra" (churning rod holder) finely carved to represent a back to back, squatting, human couple, man opposite woman. Wood, with nice dark brown glossy patina. The ghurra was carved in Nepal, and is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Its height (without the stand) is 22.7 cm. Very good condition. NOTE: The ghurra is a tool which has been used for centuries by Nepali people for churning milk into butter. Aside from its use as an important household implement, the ghurra also has a ...

Rare statue of a sitting female protector, her hands in praying posture. Eroded wood, fine patina. Nepal, mid 20th C. Height: 34 cm. Very good condition. NOTE: collected in 1974 by its former owner.

Wood spoon, its handle finely carved in the shape of a standing female figurine. Nice age patina. Ifugao tribes, Northern Luzon Island, Philippines archipelago. Height: 18 cm. The spoon is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Very good condition. Provenance: Zemanek Munster tribal art auction sale # 77.

Small dance mask made of a turtle shell at its center, in a kind of frame made of soil and sagotree resin with multiple cowries inserts and painted in red, white and black, surrounded with remnants of cassowary feathers. Papua New Guinea, Middle Sepik region, Palimbei, Iatmul ethnic group. Mid 20th century period. Height: 21 cm. A few small old accidents, otherwise very good condition. Provenance: old Italian collection. IMPORTANT NOTE: export ONLY to the European Community.

"Gorfa" milk container, made of calabash covered with tightly woven vegetal fibers, with a leather handle partly decorated with cowries. The gorfa is also covered with leather and wood protection, and its foot is decorated with cowries. Ethiopia, Borana Peoples. Height: 21.2 cm. Very good condition. NOTE: The Borana society is build around the maintenance of cattle, which are their prime source of sustenance. Milk and yogurt also are staples of the Borana diet. Many Borana folktales and songs ...

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.

Helmet "ngontang" mask with four faces of circular form and a top of cross form. Wood with white and black pigments. Old collection mark inside. Africa, Gabon, Fang ethnic group. Height: 19.5 cm. Diameter: 15.5 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Abrasion, otherwise good condition. Provenance: French provincial auction sale.

Mask used for household protection against evil spirits, with an unusual elongated form. Wood, age patina. Nepal, Gurung ethnic group, first half of 20th century. Height: 32.8 cm. Mounted on a custom stand. Some abrasion, otherwise very good condition.

Superb and rare mask with a very refined carving, representing a chief, with detailed coiffe, eyes, mouth, beard and scarifications. Wood, with fine patina. R.D. Congo, Bena Lulua or Luluwa ethnic group, early 20th century. Height: 35.5 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Obvious signs of age, otherwise very good condition. Provenance: old Paris collection. Reference: The Berlin Ethnologic Museum owns a Luluwa figure representing a chief, made of wood, 74 cm high, 19th century, ac...

Intricately carved face mask bearing horns, with features in relief, slit eyes, scarifications, stylised beard. Wood, with remnants of kaolin colouring on eyes, horns tips and coiffe. Fine age patina. Africa, Ivory Coast, Yaure ethnic group. Height: 33 cm. Insect infestation on right side (no more danger), otherwise good condition

Important and rare mask carved in wood fungus, of the tinder fungus type (fomes fomentarius), of rounded triangular form, with perforated oval eyes, incised mouth and nose in relief, probably added. Length: 30 cm. Height: 18.7 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Very good condition. NOTE: the tinder fungus is a parasite which grows particularly on the birch tree. This tree is highly venerated by numerous cultures with a shamanic tradition, because it is supposed to harbor deities...

Hampatong female figurine, wearing earrings and necklace, knees bent, standing on a square base. Wood, with fine glossy dark patina. Indonesia, Borneo Island, Dayak Peoples. Height: 11 cm. The statue is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Abrasion due to age, otherwise very good condition. Provenance: old Dutch collection. A rare piece.

Shamanic mask, with minimalist features, probably representing a demon. Wood, with fine dark brown glossy patina. Nepal, mid 20th century. Height: 28 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Very good condition.

"Ancient India", Bulletin of the Archeological Survey of India, number 1, January 1946. Published by the Manager of Publications, Delhi. Printed by the Baptist Mission Press, Calcutta. 8 3/8"x10 11/16" (21,5x27 cm). 82 pages. Numerous drawings, maps and photos. A series of articles on the archeology of India, Afghanistan and Pakistan, by British field experts, published in the mid forties to the early sixties. Contents described on cover (see photo 1). Worn but good condition.

"Ancient India", Bulletin of the Archeological Survey of India, number 2, July 1946. Published by the Manager of Publications, Delhi. Printed by the Baptist Mission Press, Calcutta. 8 3/8"x10 11/16" (21,5x27 cm). 137 pages. Numerous drawings, maps and photos. A series of articles on the archeology of India, Afghanistan and Pakistan, by British field experts, published in the mid forties to the early sixties. Contents described on cover (see photo 1). Worn but good condition.

"Ancient India", Bulletin of the Archeological Survey of India, number 3, January 1947. Published by the Manager of Publications, Delhi. Printed by the Baptist Mission Press, Calcutta. 8 3/8"x10 11/16" (21,5x27 cm). 150 pages. Numerous drawings, maps and photos. A series of articles on the archeology of India, Afghanistan and Pakistan, by British field experts, published in the mid forties to the early sixties. Contents described on cover (see photo 1). Worn but good condition.

"Ancient India", Bulletin of the Archeological Survey of India, number 4, double number, July 1947 - January 1948. Published by the Archeological Survey of India, New Delhi. Printed by the Baptist Mission Press, Calcutta. 8 3/8"x10 11/16" (21,5x27 cm). 321 pages. Numerous drawings, maps and photos. A series of articles on the archeology of India, Afghanistan and Pakistan, by British and Indian field experts, published in the mid forties to the early sixties. Contents described on cover (see pho...

"Ancient India", Bulletin of the Archeological Survey of India, number 5, January 1947 - January 1949. Edited and published by the Director General of Archaeology in India, New Delhi. Printed by the Baptist Mission Press, Calcutta. 8 3/8"x10 11/16" (21,5x27 cm). 113 pages. Numerous drawings, maps and photos. A series of articles on the archeology of India, Afghanistan and Pakistan, by British and Indian field experts, published in the mid forties to the early sixties. Contents described on cover...

Reliquary figure carved in the shape of a standing female, with typical coiffe, serene face with scarifications on forehead, conical breasts, hands joined at abdomen level. The statue is resting on a large wood lid, on which it is affixed with soil material. The reliquary box itself is missing. Wood, with partly encrusted dark patina. Africa, Gabon, Punu Peoples. Height: 18 3/4" (47 cm). Obvious signs of use and age, otherwise very good condition. NOTE: like the Fang Peoples, the Punu used to ...

Statue of a protecting deity or ancestor, standing on slightly bent legs, its hands in praying posture, its face expressing agressiveness. Patinated and eroded wood. Nepal, early 20th century. Height: 15" (38 cm). The statue is mounted on a custom metal stand.

Very old and nicely carved black mask, of typical conical coiffe and slightly smiling feminine face. Wood, fine patina. Africa, Gabon, Punu Peoples, Tsangui sub-group. Height: 13 1/4" (34 cm). Old accident on left side of coiffe, erosion due to age, otherwise very good condition. Ex. old French collection.

Janus-shaped helmet mask, the two back-to-back faces of a similar expression, surmounted by a semi circular flat coiffe. Wood, with glossy age patina. Africa, Nigeria, Idoma Peoples. Height: 14" (35 cm). Old insect infestations (no danger), small accidents and chips, otherwise very good condition.

Small statue of an ancestor or protecting deity, wearing a ceremonial cap, holding a sort of square box with both hands and standing on a rounded base. Wood, light brown patina. Indonesia, Moluccas Archipelago. Height: 13 1/2" (34 cm). Strong erosion and old accidents due to old age. Ex. Old French collection. A rare piece.

Tobacco pipe of curved shape, with lavish geometric decor, its bowl in the shape of stylized lotus. Silver, fine darkish patina. Thailand, Northern Region, Lawa Peoples. Height: 14 cm. Very good condition. Collected in 1974 by its former owner.