Catalog (75)

Small architectural ornament, carved in the shape of a Garuda, standing under a triangular platform with his wings open. Wood, fine dark patina. Nepal, 18th century, probably earlier. Height: 4 1/8" (10,5 cm). The piece is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Old traces of woodworm work (no danger), large chip on right side of platform, otherwise good condition. Note: in Hindu religion, Garuda is a demigod, half man half eagle, who carries god Vishnu.

Beautifully carved butter churner guide ("Ghurra' or "neti"), decorated with a relief rope and chevron design. Wood, with fine dark-brown patina. Himalayan Region. Length: 11 1/4" (23,5 cm). The piece is nicely mounted on a custom wood stand. Obvious signs of use and age, otherwise very good condition. NOTE: the "ghurra" was collected in situ in the early 1970s, during my 20 years stay in Asia.

Pendant of rectangular shape ending in a triangle on its top, with a loop for possible attachment to a necklace. The pendant is decorated with an embossed design of tribal style representing Hindu god Virabhadra standing with his four arms and weapons/attributes, and surrounded by a dotted aureola. Bronze, with fine reddish green patina. India, 18th century. Height: 5.3 cm. Very good condition.

Finely cast small statue of Hindu Goddess Annapurna, sitting cross-legged on an elevated throne, holding the ritual spoon in both hands. Bronze, with reddish and green patina. India, 17th century, maybe earlier. Height: 4.3 cm. Abrasion due to great age, otherwise good condition.

Miniature altar dedicated to Hindu Goddess Annapurna. The goddess is shown sitting cross-legged on a lotus throne, holding her ritual spoon on her lap, and backed by an aureola. Bronze, with traces of its original green patina. India, ca. 17th century. Height: 4.7 cm. Strong abrasion due great age, otherwise very good condition.

Pair of small Shiva lingam carved in dark marble. The first one, smaller, has part of its aureola missing. The other one is taller and more elaborate, with a double aureola and the Naga snake surmounting the lingam, and has small chips. India, early 19th century, maybe earlier. Heights: 6.7 and 9.3 cm.

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.

Taoist statue of a Judge in Hell, sitting, in formal attire, his hands joined together. Votive box at the back, now open. Wood, with traces of lacquering and polychrome painting. China Qing Dynasty, 19th century. Height: 18 cm. Abrasion due to age, otherwise very good 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. NOTE: Phurpas were and are still used...

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. Height: 9"...

Amulet representing a Taoist deity, standing on a small base, wearing robes, with its right leg lifted, holding what seems to be a gourd in its left hand. A loop on its top allowed its attachement to a necklace. Bronze with fine reddish green patina. China, Tang dynasty. Height: 41 mm. Very good condition.

Highly unusual phurba lavishly decorated, from top to bottom, with stylized lotus, four deities heads separated by a pitcher and a trident, geometric design, a "makara" head with three Shiva tridents on top and snakes at the tip of the blade. Wood, with nice dark-brown semi-glossy and partly encrusted patina. An iron loop holds a piece of old textile. Nepal, early 19th century. Height: 10 3/4" (27 cm). The piece is nicely mounted o a custom metal stand. Small losses, erosion, otherwise very go...

Ritual dagger ("phurpa") formerly used by a shaman during religious ceremonies. Wood, with nice dark patina. Textiles attached on top with a chain. Old restoration with a forged metal point on the lower part of the dagger. Nepal, early 19th century. Height: 13 1/4" (32,5 cm). The phurpa is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Good condition.

Shamanic face mask of oval shape, with minimalistic features. Wood, traces of black resin under the nose for attachment of a mustache made of animal hair (now missing). Nice dark patina. Nepal, early 19th century, probably earlier. Height: 9 1/2" (24 cm). The mask is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Old accidents and chips, otherwise good condition.

Small architectural element, probably part of a tympanum ("torana") of a temple or palace door, of circular shape, carved in relief to represent the Hindu mythical bird Garuda head, flanked with wings, holding the Naga snake in its claws. Wood, with dark-brown encrusted patina. Remnants of red pigment (tika?) on various areas. Mortises at top and bottom sides. Nepal, 17th century, probably earlier. Length: 13 1/4" (34 cm). The piece is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Obvious signs of gre...

Statue of a Taoist deity ("fashi"), in formal attire, sitting on a throne, holding his commandment baton in his right hand and a bowl containing the lustral water in his left. Wood, coated with traces of polychrome painting. Votive box at the back, lid missing. China, early 19th century, maybe earlier. Height: 20.7 cm. Abrasion due to age otherwise very good condition.

"Khatvanga", a ritual object used during Tantric ceremonies, decorated with a crowned Citipati on its top, and incised geometric designs. Iron, with four inlaid bronze rings along the shaft. Tibet, early 20th century. Height: 23 cm. Strong oxydation, otherwise very good condition.

Rare mask of Mahakala, cast in great detail, with a fierce expression, the head surmounted by a crown of skulls, the open mouth showing fangs. Iron with polychrome paint. Tibet, early 20th century. Height: 17 cm. Width: 17 cm. Painting partly flaked, some oxidation, oitherwise 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.

Shamanic drum handle, carved in the shape of a "phurpa" (shamanic ritual dagger), surmounted with three deities heads. Wood, fine dark brown patina. Nepal, early 20th century. Height: 33.5 cm. Nicely mounted on a custom stand. Very good condition.

Small statue of a Buddhist devotee/donor, standing, in monk's robes, and holding a fruit in both hands. This statue was probably part of a larger group, with a Buddha statue in the center. Bronze, with fine dark-green patina. China, Ming dynasty. Height: 58 mm. Very good condition.

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.

Bronze statue of Buddha, in monk's robes, wearing a kind of diadem, sitting on a throne, his hands in bhumisparsa mudra. Old glass inserts on the diadem, some missing. Burma, Mandalay period, 19th century. Height: 10 cm. Some abrasion, otherwise very good condition.

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.

Ritual spoon used for Hindu religious ceremonies, of elongated shape, its top decorated with a relief representing Hanuman, the Monkey Hero of the Ramayana epic, with four arms, sitting on a lotus throne and backed by an aureola. The spoon is made of bronze, with a fine patina. The relief, also made of bronze, is affixed to the spoon with two copper rivets. Nepal, early 18th century. The piece is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Height (without stand): 11 1/2" (29,2 cm). Obvious signs of age, o...

Head of a deity, probably one of the Hindu deities. However, the shape of the top of the head and the presence of a usnisa above the forehead may suggest that this is an early representation of the head of Buddha. The head is made of wood, with a beautiful dark brown crusty patina. India, 15th/16th century. Height: 21 cm. Very good condition despite a few age cracks.

Very old face mask, of oval form, with minimalist cubistic features typical of this area. Strongly eroded wood, age patina. Indonesia, Timor island. Height: 31 cm. Mounted on a custom stand. Provenance: acquired in situ early 20th century, ex old Dutch 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.

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.

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.

Unusual mask carved in wood, in the form of a skull face, with a strong expression in relief. Remnants of the original pigments meant to enhance the mask features. This mask, which was bever worn, was used by a "dukun" for ritual practices and ceremonies. The mask was found in the island of Java, Indonesia. Its height: 17 cm. Mounted on a custom stand. Despite signs of great age and old accidents, the mask is in rather good condition. Provenance: old Dutch collection. NOTE: A dukun is an Ind...

Ceremonial hat made of intricately woven, partly dyed in red, cane, decorated with bear fur also dyed in red, feathers and two boar tusks. North India, Naga ethnic group. Height: 27 cm. Obvious signs of 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.

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

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.

Long temple banner, also called "bridge painting" hand painted on paper representing Taoist deities in all sorts of situations. A stick is affixed on both ends. China, mid 19th century, Yao ethnic group, south-west China. Length: 4.12 m. A few restorations and losses, otherwise good condition.