Catalog (75)

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"...

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. Normally holy water is poured from the Yoni...

Ancient mask of the traditional esoteric "Nuo" theater, representing the character of General Guanyu, wearing his helmet. Wood, with multiple superimposed polychrome pigments, meant to enhance the mask features, of which part is painted on paper glued to the mask. China, early 19th C. Height: 33 cm. The mask is mounted on a custom stand. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Face mask of almost flat shape, with rectangular protruding forehead, long triangular nose, pierced-through rectangular eyes and mouth. Wood, with fine dark-brown patina. Animal hair has been affixed with black resin, to represent eyebrows, moustache and beard. Old rope still attached to the mask. Himalayas, 19th century, probably even earlier. Height: 10 1/4" (25,5 cm). The mask is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand that enhances its strange beauty. Obvious signs of long use and great age, ...

Rare and important mask of Defender of the Buddhist Faith, with an aggressive expression, bulging eyes, open mouth showing fangs, sun and moon symbols on forehead, stylized beard. Wood, with traces of kaolin in the recesses. Himalayan Region, Bhutan or Tibet, 18th century, probably earlier. Height: 14 1/2" (38 cm). The mask is mounted on a custom wood stand. Old accidents, erosion, otherwise good condition. Provenance: Old American collection.

Very old mask of Defender of the Buddhist Faith, inspired from the God Mahakala, with a terrifying expression meant to ward off evil spirits. Wood, with nice slightly encrusted glossy dark patina. Himalayan Region, Bhutan or Tibet, 18th century, probably earlier. Height: 11" (28 cm). The mask is nicely mounted on a custom wood stand. Very good condition. NOTE: Together with masks # 1-0761 and # 1-0762, this mask was acquired from an old American collection.

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.

Statue of God Chao Kung Ming, the Military Wealth God, dressed in military garb, half sitting on a throne, his left hand holding a coin, his left foot tramping the head of a dragon, his right leg resting on a lion. Votive box open at the back and still containing a paper. Lacquered and painted wood in gold and polychrome colors. China, 18th century. Height: 8 3/4" (22,2 cm). Old insect infestation (no danger), otherwise very good condition.

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...

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.

Elaborate mask of Citipati, made of embossed, gilt and painted, bronze. Partly encrusted reddish-green patina. Tibet, 18th century. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Height (without stand): 26 cm. Very good condition. A very rare piece.

Intricately carved mask for the Nuo esoteric theater, representing the legendary character of Bao Gong, or Judge Bao, wearing a formal hat, his face in relief with a fierce expression, with bulging eyes, open mouth revealing fangs, and a stylised beard. Wood, with traces of the original polychrome colouring. China, 18th century. Height: 29.6 cm. Very good condition despite signs of old insect infestation (no danger).

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.

Beautifully cast, with fine details, miniature statue of Bodhisattva Manjusri, sitting cross-legged on a lotus throne resting on a pedestal with a stylised lion on each side. A stylised book resting on a lotus surmounts his left shoulder, while his hand is holding the sword which kills ignorance. Gilt bronze, with fine patina. Tibet, 18th century. Height: 7.5 cm. Gilding partly missing, otherwise very good condition. NOTE: At the back of the pedestal, two rectangular perforations suggest that or...

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.

Large mask representing the face of Mahakala with its typical terrifying expression, the features being carved in relief and the mouth in openwork showing teeth . At the top of the back of the head a small cylinder has been carved on a small platform. This cylinder was meant to contain a horse hair (often of white coulour), to decorate the mask. Wood, with obvious signs of great age and remains of woodworm attack (no more danger). Old accidents and old and local restorations on top of mask. Bhut...

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...

Large and antique mask representing Bhairava, an avatar of Hindu God Shiva, with a terrifying expression. Wood, with traces of the original plastering and polychromy. Nepal, 17th century. Height: 19" (49 cm). Old accident --- the mask was split in two from top to bottom --- not very skillfully restored locally, strong erosion, otherwise good condition. A rare piece.

Large Buddhist ritual bell, with a lavish decoration of a "vajra" on its top, four deities faces below, and geometric and stylized lotus decor on its body. Bronze, with beautiful encrusted green and red patina. Traces of gilding. Indonesia, ca. 15th to 16th century. Height: 9 5/8" (24,5 cm). Obvious signs of great age, otherwise very good condition.

Statue of Bodhisattva Sadaksari Lokesvara, the four-armed deity seated in "dhyanasana" on a double lotus throne, his principal arms in prayer posture ("anjali mudra"), the other hands wearing the rosary (""ashamala") on the right side and a lotus of absolute purity on the left side. His head is sumounted by a stylized bust of Buddha Amithaba. The deity is wearing diadem, jewels and dhoti. The statue is made of gilt copper with turquoise and coral inserts. Tibet, 16th century. Height: 13 cm. Gild...

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.

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.

Earthenware offering plate depicting seven seated Buddha surmounting fine Buddhist devotees. Thailand Khmer period known as Lopburi, 12-14th century. 72 mm high x 55 mm wide x 14 mm thick. The piece is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Abrasion due to age, otherwise very good condition.

Terracotta votive plate depicting six seated Buddhist deities surmounting four smaller ones. Thailand, Khmer period known as Lopburi, 12-14th century. 91 mm high x 68 mm wide x 17 mm thick. The plate is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Abrasion due to great age, otherwise very good condition.

Earthenware offering plate depicting Buddha sitting in a niche, his hands in "bhumisparsa mudra". On his right is another Buddha also in a niche. Thailand, Khmer period known as Lopburi, 12-14th century. 84 mm high x 84 mm wide x 17 mm thick. The piece is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Abrasion due to age, otherwise good condition.

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.

Tiny statue of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara in his Padmapani manifestation, wearing formal garment and diadem, standing on a lotus. Gilt bronze. China, Tang Dynasty. Height: 4.6 cm. The statue is mounted on a plexiglass stand. Gilding partly missing, otherwise very good condition.

Wood statue of a bearded Taoist deity, in formal attire, sitting on a throne. China, Late Yuan, early Ming Dynasty. Height: 24.3 cm. Obvious signs of great age, otherwise good condition.

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.

Small funeral mirror, of circular shape, decorated in relief with four frolicking chimeras and grapes. At the back,traces of the imprint of a textile. Bronze, with fine age patina. China, Tang Dynasty. Diameter: 6.8 cm. Very good condition. NOTE: this mirror is part of a small collection of funeral mirrors collected many years ago that we are starting to offer presently.