Catalog (306)

Important mask of the "kiwoyo muyombo" type, of elongated shape, with a protruding forehead and fine features, surmounted by a highly stylized cylindrical coiffe, and a long "beard" decorated in relief with bicolored lozenges and framed by weaved bamboo slices. Fine glossy patina. Africa, Gabon, Pende Peoples. Height: 45 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Small losses, otherwise very good condition.

Small relief fragment in the shape of a head of Buddha, eyes closed, his slightly smiling face reflecting a profound inner serenity. Sandstone. Cambodia, Khmer Period, Bayon Style, 13th century. The piece is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Height (without stand): 12 cm. Erosion due to great age, trace of glue on the lower left side, otherwise very good condition.

Small statue of Buddha depicting an important stage of his life when, still as Siddhartha, he sat meditating for a long time almost without eating and became emaciated and close to death, before realizing that the way to seek the Truth was not to torture oneself. Siddhartha, with an aureola at the back of his head, sits on a semi-circular throne with a vajra in relief on its front. Gilt copper, with a fine patina. Tibet or China, 19th century, maybe earlier. Height: 8.5 cm. Gilding partly missi...

Snuff bottle of flat circular form, the body itself made of ivory. The bottle has a silver neck with an intricate decoration affixing it to the body. It also has an opening at its center with round silver relief decor mount, the lid ending in a coral top. On one side, another relief decoration representing a four sided dorje with a loop for attachment to a belt. Tibet, 19th century. Diameter: 5 cm. Stopper and spoon missing, otherwise very good condition. Provenance: Old French collection. A rar...

Relief fragment representing Buddha standing beside a column, his right hand holding his robe, his left hand in blessing posture, with a worshipper kneeling in front of him. Grey schist. Graeco-Buddhist art, Gandhara period, 1st to 3rd century. Height: 17 cm. Mounted on a plexi stand. Good condition. Provenance: Christie's Amsterdam auction sale 1993.

Fragmentary relief delicately carved to represent a group of three characters, on the left side a yakshi in a niche standing in tribangha posture and holding a palm in her right hand and on the right side two superimposed partly missing characters. Grey schist. Graeco-Buddhist art, Gandhara period, ca. 3rd century. Height: 14 cm. The relief is nicely mounted on a custom plexi stand.

Fragmentary relief representing two standing bearded men, with a column, or pilaster, between them. Grey schist. Gandhara Civilisation period, ca. 2nd century. Height: 15,8 cm. The relief is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Very good condition.

Statue of a snarling lion holding a smaller lion under its front paws, resting on a rectangular base. Bronze, with fine dark green patina with reddish areas. China, Ming Dynasty. Length: 6.7 cm. Height: 5.7 cm. Very good condition.

Mask of the "Nuo" esoteric theater representing the character of Bao Gong, or Judge Bao, also named "King of Inferno" because he also goes down to visit the Inferno to inquire about the souls. The mask was carved on wood on which lacquer and polychrome pigments were painted. China, mid-19th century. Height: 12 1/4" (30,5 cm). Old insect damage (no more danger), otherwise good condition.

Finely cast statue of Bodhisattva Manjusri, in formal attire, his face showing a half smile, sitting in "rajalila asana" on a chimera or highly stylized lion, both resting on an elevated lotus throne. China, Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Height: 9 1/8" (23,3 cm). Iron, with partly encrusted patina. Obvious signs of great age, strong oxydization in some areas, otherwise very good condition. A very fine statue. NOTE: "rajalila asana" is the king's posture. It is sometimes used on bodhisattvas statues....

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.

Small Buddhist stupa mounted on an elephant. The stupa is composed of three parts which were carved separately from chlorite. Graeco-Buddhist art, Gandhara, ca. 3rd century. Height: 13.7 cm. Several chips, otherwise very good condition. A rare piece.

Very old wood statue of Buddhist goddess Sho Kannon Bosatsu (one of the many forms of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara), wearing formal robes, and a diadem with bronze decorations on the two sides, standing on a lotus, her left hand holding a vase, her right hand in abhaya mudra. The goddess face reflects a profound meditation. Remnants of the original gilding. Fine age patina. Japan, early Edo period. Height: 25.2 cm. Good condition.

Realistic and superbly cast statue of a Taoist dignitary, standing in formal attire, holding an archaic vessel with both hands, with a slight smile on his face. Bronze, encrusted patina, traces of gilding in some recesses. China, Qing Dynasty, early 18th century, probably earlier. Height: 7" (17,7 cm). Old dent on the upper part of the back, otherwise very good condition. A rare piece.

Finely cast vajra, or "dorje", with five prongs of which four are coming out of "makara" (water dragons) mouths, and the classic double lotus shaped center. Bronze, nice green patina. Tibet, 18th century.Length: 4 7/16" (11,3 cm). Very good condition.

Tibetan snuff bottle of flat shape made of silver with a lavish embossed decor representing Tibetan Tantric Budhism deities, fistly Acala, one of the eight Dharmapalas holding a sword in his right hand on one side, and secondly one of the Dakinis on the other side. Each deity is gilt and backed by a flaming aureola surrounded by a floral design. Other parts of the bottle are partly gilt. The bottle also shows coral and turquoise inserts. The stopper is partly gilt and is decorated with a stylise...

A fine Noh mask, with strong features, representing the character of Ayakashi, the malign aspect of a general killed in battle. Wood, with polychrome and gold painting, eyes made of brass. The mask is signed. Japan, early 20th century. Height: 21.7 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Very good condition. NOTE: The name "Ayakashi" also refers to an apparition with mysterious spiritual powers, or a vengeful sea-dwelling spirit. Perhaps the best known Noh play using Ayakashi is ""Fun...

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.