Catalog (306)

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.

Ancient mask, beautifully carved in heavy wood, with realistic features, representing the face of a snarling tiger. Wood, with remnants of the handpainted polychrome decoration. India, Gujarat or Maharashtra, Kukana tribes, early 20th century. Height: 27 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Old accident at lower jaw, very well restored locally. Acquired in 1974.

Statue of a "lohan" (Buddhist holy man) standing on a tall rounded base, his hands originally holding an implement (now gone). Votive box open at the back (lid missing). Wood, with large remnants of black and red lacquering, and gilding on face and hands. China, 18th century. Height: 18" (45 cm). Obvious signs of great age, otherwise very good condition.

Statue of Zhen Wu, or Xuan Wu, the God of the North, in formal attire, sitting on a rocky throne, under which his two attributes --- the snake and the tortoise --- are hiding, his right arm resting on a chimera. Wood, with remnants of the original lacquering and gilding. Black glass eyes. China, Ming Dynasty. Height: 10 1/2" (26,7 cm). Good condition.

Small statue of Green Tara, wearing diadem, necklace and dhoti, sitting "at ease" on a double lotus throne. Her right hand holds the "cintamani", the jewel which "grants wishes or satisfies all desires". Bronze, with fine green patina in the recesses. Tibet, 16th century or earlier. Height: 3 3/8" (8,5 cm). Strong erosion due to very old age, tiny losses at the base of the throne, otherwise very good condition. NOTE: Green Tara is seen as the Buddhist protector against all dangers.

Paper fan, mounted on rib and guard flat sticks, made of wood nicely lacquered and gold painted with elaborate human, geometric and floral designs. The paper part is made of two concentric bands, richly decorated on both sides with polychrome, gold and silver hand painted miniature scenes showing different characters on various situations. The heads of the characters are painted on ivory, and their garments are made of colored silk, all glued on the paper base. A bronze, loop, on which a silk de...

A pair of square belt plaques, each with a relief decor of a musician sitting cross-legged on a small platform. Each plaque is backed by a flat unadorned plaque affixed to it by four pins, for attachment to the belt. Bronze, with large remnants of its original gilding and reddish green patina in some areas. China, Liao Dynasty Period (916-1125 A.D.). Width: 1 5/16" (3,3 cm). The pair is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Good condition. A fine and rare pair. Note: this pair is part of a set...

Rare half-mask of the esoteric Nuo theater representing a demon. Wood, with numerous perforations around the top of the forehead, above the eyes and below the nose in order to represent the hair, eyebrows and mustache. The mask was lacquered originally. It suffered an old accident which split it in two from top to bottom, but was restored a long time ago and locally with resin. Though the mask is more fragile than a mask without any accident, it is nevertheless strong enough now. The piece is ve...

Head of a moustached nobleman, wearing an elaborate turban, with an interesting mixture of Greek and Indian features. Grey schist. Pakistan, Gandhara Graeco-Buddhist period, 1st to 3rd century. The head is nicely munted on a custom stand. Height (without stand): 4 1/2" (11,4 cm). Nose and chin slightly chipped, otherwise 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...

Large snuff bottle, made of silver, of circular and flat shape, lavishly decorated with animal, floral and geometric design on one side and foliage, lotus and geometric design on the other side. Tiny silver stopper at the end of a small spout on top of the bottle. Opening on one side to allow access to the tobacco powder, with relief stylised lotus decor, on one of the two sides. Fine patina. Tibet, 19th century. Height: 11 cm. Very good cndition.

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 ...

Finely cast five-point vajra (or dorje), made of bronze, with nice dark green patina. Tibet, early 19th century. Length: 12.4 cm. Very good condition.

Large rock cristal seal of dome form, with an engraved design representing the bust of a helmeted king in profile. A vertical inscription is incised in front of the profile. Bactria, 4th century BC. Height of the dome: 2.6 cm. Height of the seal: 3.1 cm. Traces of soil encrustation. Tiny chips, otherwise very good condition.

Very old small "korwar", or funeral altar, representing a human figure with a huge head, standing on a rounded base, legs half bent, and holding with both hands an elaborated openwork shield. Wood, with fine age patina. Indonesia, Papua Province, Cenderawasi Bay. Height: 23.7 cm. Strong abrasion due to age, old accidents, otherwise good condition.

Fine Tibetan "damaru" (ritual drum), made of silver and leather. The silver part is in the form of two "kapala shaped" parts, separated by a central silver belt, decorated with several turquoise and coral inserts, to which the handle is attached. This silver part is lavishly decorated with an embossed relief design representing foliage and Buddhist symbols. The leather part is painted in green. Two cotton cords, ending in two small balls are also attached to the drum to strike it. The damaru da...

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.

Very old mask with an elongated face, with moon and sun signs in relief on the forehead, small eyes, long nose, open mouth showing teeth. Wood, with encrusted patina. Nepal, 18th century. Height: 10 1/4" (26,2 cm). The mask is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Old accident from top to bottom restored locally a long time ago, otherwise good condition. Ex. old European collection.

Small mask representing the face of a "lakhe", an celestial entity which protects humans and households against evil spirits. Wood, with beautiful dark patina. Himalayan Region, 18th century. Height: 5 1/4" (13,5 cm). The mask is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Old restoration at the back of the right eye, erosion due to age, otherwise very good condition. A rare piece in this size.

Superb "tsampa" bowl made of a wood core entirely covered with repoussé silver decorated in relief with the eight Buddhist symbols around its body surmounting a floral design. Beneath, a decoration representing a coiled dragon in relief framed by floral designs. Tibet, 19th century. Height: 2 3/16" (5,7 cm). Diameter: 4 1/2" (11,5 cm). A few dents, obvious signs of age, otherwise very good condition.

Embossed gilt copper plate, with fine details, representing a snarling snow lion, standing. Two small copper rivets above the back of the lion. Tibet, early 19th century, maybe earlier. Height: 7 cm. Length: 8.3 cm. The plate is nicely mounted on a custom wood stand. Very good condition. Collected in Nepal in 1978.

Small statue of Buddha wearing a diadem, in a meditative posture ("dhyana mudra"), holding a stylized beggar bowl in his hands, sitting cross-legged on a double lotus throne. Bronze, with thick encrusted green patina. Tibet, 16th century. Height: 5 1/2" (14 cm). Diadem partly chipped, a few tiny casting defects, otherwise very good condition. A rather unusual aspect of the Buddha image.

Architectural ornament in relief representing the Hindu God Virabhadra, an avatar of Shiva, standing, wearing formal cap and "dhoti", his face showing a fierce expression underlined by the fangs protruding from his mouth, holding a sword in his left hand and a shield in his right hand. Wood, with fine reddish-brown patina. India, 18th century. Height: 29" (71 cm). The piece is nicely mounted on a custom wood stand. Feet missing, chips in some areas, age cracks, otherwise good condition. Provenan...

Architectural element (part of a beam, or a corner), nicely carved in relief and representing Garuda, the vehicle of Hindu god Vishnu, half-bird, half-man, in his anthropomorphic appearance. Heavy wood (probably from the Southern part of Nepal), dark patina. Nepal, 19th century or earlier. Height: 13" (34 cm); The piece is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. A few chips, otherwise very good condition.

Small altar comprising of a statue of Green Tara sitting in regal repose on a lion, with a small statue of a worshipper on her lower right side, the whole group surmounting an elevated throne on four legs with, at the back, a large mandorla on the upper side of which stands a small Buddha in relief. Ancient inscription at the back of the mandorla (see photo). Bronze, with green and reddish patina in the recesses. India, 16th century or earlier. Height: 5 1/8" (13,4 cm). Due to the fact that one ...

Highly unusual statue of protecting deity or ancestor, its head surmounted by a circular crown which looks like a "stupa" or a "usnisa". The protector is squatting, its hands are in praying posture. Eroded wood. West Nepal. Height: 36" (41 cm). Obvious signs of great age.

Very old agate snuff bottle with of beige color with nice white inclusions in some areas. Silvered bronze stopper with large turquoise inlay, copper spoon. China, early 19th century, maybe earlier. Height (without stopper): 2 6/16" (5,8 cm). Very good condition.

Statue of a Taoist deity, in formal attire, standing on a rectangular base on which a chimera or a dog is carved in relief. Two votive boxes, their lids missing, at the back. Wood, nice semi-glossy patina. China, Ming Dynasty period. Height: 12 1/2" (32 cm). The statue is mounted on a custom wood stand. Some loss at the base, chips, otherwise very good condition.

A superb tea kettle, its body made of copper, its handle and spout made of bronze and cast in the shape of dragons. On the lid , around the neck and at the base of the spout, a silver repoussé floral decoration. A chain links the lid to the body. Tibet, 19th century. Height:10 1/4" (26 cm). Obvious signs of use and age, otherwise very good condition. NOTE: The kettle is not cleaned: our principle is always to leave the patina on an object, leaving it to the buyer to decide if it will have to be...

Statue of a standing eagle with an alert posture, its beak slightly open. Gilt bronze, encrusted green patina in some areas. Tibet, 17th century. Height: 3 1/8" (8 cm). The statue is nicely mounted on a custom black plexi stand. Very good condition. A 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.

Ancient Buddhist book of sutras comprising of two thick lacquered and gilt cardboard covers decorated with 16 Buddhas sitting on a throne with their hands in bhumisparsa mudra posture. The central Buddha is flanked by two smaller buddhas, and at their feet are two small praying monks. The book has 42 X 2 pages (written on two sides) written in black characters. Burma, 19th century. Length: 15 1/2" (39 cm). Traces of old water stains, slight damage on the bottom of one page, other wise very good ...

Head of Buddha, surmounted by a flaming usnisa, its face with lowered eyes reflecting a deep inner serenity. Bronze, with slightly encrusted patina of dark-green color. Thailand, Nan Chao Kingdom, 8th to 13th century. The head is nicely mounted on a custom wood stand. Height (without stand): 3 3/4" (9,5 cm). Tip of usnisa missing, otherwise very good condition. NOTE: The Nan Chao Kingdom was located in present-day Yunnan Province, South of China, and was contemporary to the Tang Dynasty, with w...

Small statue of Buddha Sakyamuni, sitting cross-legged on an elevated throne, his hands in "bhumisparsa mudra", backed by a seven-headed stylized Naga sacred snake. Bronze with traces of the original gilding. Partially encrusted patina of green and reddish color. Burma, 18th century or earlier. Height: 10,5 cm. Good condition.

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.

Small reliquary box, of cylindrical shape, with its cupola shaped lid ending in a decorated point at its top. The body of the box is decorated with three heads of Buddha in relief and three stars themselves in relief, surmounting a geometric design also in relief. Silver alloy, with a fine age patina. Remnants of soil encrustations. Pakistan, Graeco-Buddhist art, Gandhara Period, Ca. 1st to 3rd century. Height: 7.8 cm. Good condition.