Catalog (39)

Beautifully carved relief fragment representing the head of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, wearing a diadem on which appears a small Buddha Amithaba in meditation sitting on a lotus throne and surrounded by foliage. Avalokiteshvara has a third eye, and a necklace. Stone, with some abrasion. Gandhara Graeco-Buddhist period (1st to 5th century). Height: 18.5 cm. The head is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Very good condition. Provenance: 1) collection of a French diplomat who stayed in Pakistan ...

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.

A group of three mat weights. The first one is of circular form, with two tiger heads. Dimensions: H 35 mm, D 50 mm. The second one is oval shaped, looking like a chimera with wings. Dimensions: H 32 mm L 52 mm. The third one is a bird holding a branch in its beak, with an oval base. Dimensions: 34 mm, L 44 mm. All are made of gilt bronze, with a fine patina. Gilding partly missing, otherwise very good condition. Provenance: French provincial auction sale in the early seventies.

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.

Himalayan mask carved in relief, with a vivid expression. Wood, with a metal plate on the forehead and the chin to affix animal hair meant to represent the mask hair and beard. Nice age patina. Nepal, early 20th century. Height:29 cm. Very good condition

Noh theater wood mask representing the character of Shakumi, a middle-aged woman. The loose strands of hair give her the careworn air of one who has suffered and survived countless trials. Note the slight sag to her cheeks and the creases on either side of her mouth. She often appears in the role of a mother. Japan, early 20th century. Height: 21 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. A few signs of use, otherwise very good condition.

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.

Rare gilt bronze gourd, of oval shape, with an embossed decor representing a standing human being (a deity?) holding a vase in his left hand. Geometric design on the back and the sides. A nicely decorated stopper is attached to the gourd with a small chain. Two loops on the top sides were meant to attach the gourd to the shoulder or the belt. Bact(rian Civilisation, ca. 4th century. Height: 17 cm. Thickness: 2.8 cm. Old accident at the back, otherwise good condition.

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.

Citipati altar, the skull surmounting a long neck resting on a rounded lotus base. The trident on top and the two flames protruding from the sides of the jaws are removable. The flames are attached to the jaws via two bronze "tenons" (see picture). The altar is made of iron. Tibet, mid 19th century. Height: 37 cm. Oxydation all over the altar, otherwise very good condition.

Wayang topeng mask, finely carved in wood to represent a typical character of that theater, with strong features, painted in polychrome colours to underline some areas. Animal hair was affixed to the mask to represent the hair and the moustache of the character. A wood bar was affixed to the inside of the mask, probably to allow the bearer to hold the mask with his teeth as is done sometimes. An inscription made by its former owner indicates the origin of the mask. Indonesia, Ponorogo, West Java...

Noh theater mask, probably representing the character of Sarutobide, but with a rather softer expression than is usually shown. The mask is signed (see pictures). Painted wood, with metal eyes. Japan, 19th century. Height: 21 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Slight abrasion on the painting in some areas, 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.

Miniature altar representing Hindu god Shiva and his wife Parvati, standing, and backed by a mandorla. Bronze, with strong abrasion due to age and fine patina. India, 17th/18th century. Height: 83 mm. Very good condition. Provenance: old Berlin collection.

Very rare bronze quiver with four arrows, (their heads made of iron and shafts made of bamboo). The quiver is nicely decorated with geometric designs in relief and leather covers, with a nice reddish-green patina on the bronze. Dimensions: 54 cm long for the quiver and 40 cm long for the arrows. Cameroon, ethnic group unknown. Very good condition. NOTE: acquired in 1970 in North West Cameroon.

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.

Statue of Kuan Yin, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, wearing a diadem, a necklace and formal robes, sitting cross-legged, holding a bowl on her lap with both hands. Votive box at the back, lid missing. Wood, with traces of polychromy. China, Qing dynasty, early 20th century. Height: 29.5 cm. Soe light abrasion, otherwise very good condition.