Catalog (84)

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...

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...

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...

Small architectural element, with an incised conch design framed in a geometric pointed design on top, and a central decor of a niche inside which a Buddhist deity is standing. Tenon at the bottom. Wood, fine dark-brown patina. Nepal, 17th century, maybe earlier. Height: 10" (25 cm). Old insect infestation (treated, no danger), erosion, otherwise good condition.

Small architectural element, with an incised conch design framed in a geometric pointed design on top, and a central decor of a niche inside which a Buddhist deity is standing. Tenon at the bottom. Wood, with fine dark-brown patina. Nepal, 17th century, maybe earlier. Height: 9 7/8" (25 cm). Old insect infestation, (treated, no danger), erosion, otherwise good condition.

Small architectural element, with an incised conch design framed in a geometric pointed design on top, and a central decor of a niche inside which a Buddhist deity is standing. Tenon at the bottom. Wood, with fine dark-brown patina. Nepal, 17th century, maybe older. Height: 10" (25,5 cm). The piece is nicely mounted on a custom wood stand. Old insect infestation (treated, no danger), erosion, otherwise very good condition.

Face mask, with a cylindrical coiffe presenting a small relief in its middle of what seems to be a head and raised arms surrounded by geometric design, with a protruding forehead, pierced through sunken eyes, long nose in relief, pierced through mouth showing teeth, long chin. Wood, with remnants of polychrome pigments, aged patina. China, Yao ethnic group, early 20th century. Height: 12 1/2" (32 cm). The mask is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Obvious signs of great age, strong erosion,...

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.

Very large mask representing the Hindu god Hanuman, one of the heroes of the Ramayana epic. Small ears, eyes in relief, long nose and upper jaw, open pierced through mouth showing teeth, large lower jaw. Two large holes at eye level to allow the bearer of the mask to see. Wood, with brown semi-glossy patina. Himalayan Region, early 20th century, maybe earlier. Length: 13 3/4" (35 cm). The mask is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand which enhances its strange beauty and aspect. Very good condi...

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, ...

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.

Statue of Taoist God Wen Chang, or Wenchangdijun, in formal attire, holding his mandarin tablet("hu" in Chinese language) in both hands, and standing on a square pedestal resting on four feet. The face bears a strong Tang Dynasty stylistic influence. Bronze, with dark-gren patina, and remnants of the original gilding. The statue was cast in China during the Ming Dynasty (1368~1644 A.D.). Height: 10 1/8" (25,7cm). The piece is very heavy. Small casting defects at the base of the neck, otherwise v...