Catalog (311)

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...

Small statue of Kuan Yin, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, wearing a diadem and formal robes, sitting on a double lotus throne, her right hand in abhaya mudra. Gilt bronze, with fine dark green patina. China, 19th century. Height: 8.8 cm. Gliding partly missing, otherwise every 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...

Statue of a sitting protector, with squarish features, his hands in praying posture. Strongly eroded wood, with remnants of kaolin on some areas. Nepal, 19th C. Height: 39 cm. The statue is mounted on a custom stand. NOTE: collected in 1974 by its former owner.

Small "ghau", the front side, made of bronze, is decorated with a foliage and lotus design, the box itself ans its lid being made of copper with bronze handles. The "ghau" contains a tiny bronze statue of Bodhisattava Manjusri and textile. Fine age patina. A leather cord allows attachement of the "ghau" to a belt. Tibet, 19th century. Very good condition.

Symbolic plate representing the entangled faces of the sun and the moon in relief. Bronze, with fine patina and traces of the original gilding. India, 19th century. Height: 21.5 cm. Very good condition.

Statue of a Taoist deity, in formal attire, seated on a throne. Wood, decorated with polychrome pigments. Small votive box at the back. China, Qing dynasty, end of 19th century. Height: 22.7 cm. Traces of candle soot on the front, old insect attack beneath (no danger), otherwise good condition.

A set of three 19th century Indian jeweler's moulds, made of bronze, each one representing a Hindu deity. The first one shows a female deity, maybe Sarasvati, with four arms, holding her four attributes in her hands, riding a horse and surrounded by foliage. An inscription is incised at the back of the mould. Height: 6.3 cm. The second mould shows god Khandoba (a form of Shiva), holding a sword, riding a horse together with his wife, and accompanied by a dog running under the horse. Height: 6.2 ...

A fine cricket cage, composed of a body made from a gourd and a rim and lid made of ivory. The lid itself is nicely carved to represent a lotus and foliage around surmounting an openwork geometric design. Its silk case, partly damaged, is joined to the cage. China, 19th century. Length: 7.8 cm. Very good condition.

Silver alloy opium box, lavishly decorated on all its sides with relief designs representing a nobleman with his servant in a park, flowers, birds (on the lid), and two inscriptions. Partly erased artist mark beneath. China, 19th century. Height: 6.2 cm. Very good condition.

Opium box of rounded rectangular shape, decorated with an embossed design all over its body representing a noble man in front of a house in the company of two women, a floral decor, Chinese characters and a geometric design. The lid itself is decorated with an embossed feminine figure (a dancer) surmounted by a bat. The box is made of copper with a fine age patina. China, end of 19th century. Height: 5.6 cm. Very good condition.

Small covered box with an embossed decoration all around the body representing stylised animals in small medalions. The lid is surmounted by an animal (tiger?) and the base is decorated with a lotus. Solid silver with a fine patina. Burma, 19th century. Height: 5.5 cm. Diameter: 5.7 cm. Very goodcondition.

Rare plate decorated with a relief design representing two intertwined Citipati dancing together on a lotus. Gilt copper, fine patina. Tibet, 19th century. Height: 39.4 cm. Very good condition.

Feminine figure, of elongated form, arms alongside the body, hands holding the abdomen, standing on a rounded base. Wood, glossy patina. Indonesia, Atoni, West Timor. Height: 31 cm. Old accidents, otherwise good condition.

Noh theater mask, with a vivid fierce expression, representing the character of Otobide. Wood, painted in gold, silver, black and red to enhance the mask features. Japan, 19th century. Height: 21.2 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Old accidents and restorations, otherwise good condition.

Pair of ancient paintings on cotton, with polychrome colours and gold. The first painting represents a noble man in formal attire and sitting on a throne. The second painting represents a noble lady, in formal attire, sitting on an throne . Sizes 95 X 49 cm for both paintings. Very fine details and delicate rendering of faces and textiles. China, Qing Dynasty, 19th century. Acquired from a Hong Kong antique dealer in 1987.

Beautifully decorated book cover, of very refined gilded hammered copper on wood, with, on one side, two dragons with the "Ratna", or "Mani" (the Jewel of the Buddhist doctrine) in the middle, surrounded by stylised cloud motifs and framed in lotus design. On the other side, three handpainted Buddhist figures representing Manjushri, Chenresig and the Mahakala. These paintings have withstood the test of time a little less well than the front side. Otherwise, the book cover is in very good condit...

Extraordinary, rare and very old ancestral statue, "korwar", carved from single piece of wood representing a standing human figure on a rounded base with a symbolically oversized skull head, with a lodging on top to accommodate a real partial ancestor skull. Two small dieties figures were carved in relief on the sides of the skull. Addionally, the right arm of the human figure was carved separately and affixed to the korwar with a tenon. Korwar figures represent ancestor spirits that are hig...

Rare, beautifully carved lime press for the betel nut, representing a female figurine standing on a rounded point, with her hands in front of her abdomen. Buffalo bone, with fine honey-colored patina. Indonesia, Sumatra Island, Batak Peoples. Height: 6" (15,2 cm). The piece is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Very good condition.

A fine tribal necklace made of conch shell, glass, bronze and bone parts. North East India, Naga ethnic group. Length: around 40 cm. Very good condition. Provenance: 1) old European collection, 2) auction sale.

Old tribal necklace, made of old glass beads of various colours, with a bronze ornament in the shape of a human head, indicating head-taking status in the tribe. North East India, Naga ethnic group. Length: around 36 cm. Very good condition. Provenance: 1) old European collection, 2) auction sale.

Large and intricately created old tribal necklace, made of old glass beads of various colours and sizes, with bone separates and bronze tiny bronze bells. North East India, Naga ethnic group. Length: around 64 cm. Very good condition. Provenance: 1) old European collection, 2) auction sale.

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...

Funeral mask in the shape of a skull, with a protruding tongue. Eroded wood, traces of lichen on some areas. Indonesia, Borneo Island, Bahau Dayak ethnic group. Height: 32 cm. he mask is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Obvious signs of great age, old accidents, otherwise good condition. A rare piece.

Intricately decorated snuff bottle of baluster shape, with a detailed decoration in relief representing, from top to bottom, a geometric design around the neck, a monster on both sides holding a lozenge frame containing a lapis lazuli on one side and a coral on the other side, the foot representing a stylised lotus. The stopper is also made of silver with a lapis lazuli on its top, and a silver spoon. A small silver chain links the stopper to the body of the bottle. The piece shows remnants of i...

Dry lacquer Noh mask depicting the character of Kokushiki-Jo and designed to represent divine blessings. Inscription at the back of the mask. Japan, early 20th century, maybe earlier. Height: 20.4 cm. Some chips around the rim, partly flaked lacquer, otherwise good condition. NOTE: This mask is used exclusively in "Okina", an ancient dance ritual said to be close to the roots of Noh. Okina is viewed as sacred and therefore accorded a different status from other items in the Noh repertoire. Lack...

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.

Nicely carved statue of a fisherman standing on a rock, his face showing a large smile, holding a cane on which two fish are attached in his right hand, and his beard in his left hand. Bi-colored steatite. China, early 20th century. Height: 20 cm. Very tiny chips, otherwise very good condition. Provenance: old French collection. IMPORTANT: owing to the rather heavy weight of the piece, please consult us on the shipping cost.

Statue of a Taoist exorcist ("yingong"), 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 polychrome painting. Animal hair used to represent the moustache and the beard. Votive box at the back, lid missing. China, early 20th century. Height: 25 cm. Painting partly flaking, otherwise very good condition.

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.

Finely carved mask, with strong features and delicate painting meant to enhance the strength of the character it represents. The character depicted here is of Hashihime. The mask is made of wood, its eyes are made of metal. The mask is signed. Japan,Taisho and Early Showa Period (1912-1945). Height: 20.8 cm. Very good condition. NOTE 1: The most famous hashihime story comes from Tsurugi no Maki, in The Tale of the Heike, and is retold in the noh play Kanawa. NOTE 2:Here is the legend of Hashi...

Mask with a curved shape showing highly stylized features. Wood, with fine glossy brown patina. Nepal, early 20th century. Height: 28.7 cm. Small and old accidents, otherwise very good condition. A rare type of Himalayan mask.

Statue of a standing protector, his arms alongside his torso. Eroded wood, fine patina. Nepal, early 20th C. Height: 44 cm. The statue is mounted on a custom stand. Left leg partly missing, otherwise good condition. NOTE: collected in 1974 by its former owner.

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...

Nicely carved mask with refined features which suggest a feminine mask. Ivory Coast/Liberia, Dan ethnic group, early 20th century. Height: 24.5 cm. The mask is mounted on a custom stand. Ols insect infestation (no danger), old cracks, otherwise very good condition. Provenance: old French collection.

Statue of Kuan Yin, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, wearing a diadem, a necklace and formal robes, sitting cross-legged, holding a bowl on her lap with both hands. Votive box at the back, lid missing. Wood, with traces of polychromy. China, Qing dynasty, early 20th century. Height: 29.5 cm. Soe light abrasion, otherwise very good condition.

Statue of a protecting deity or ancestor, standing on slightly bent legs, its hands in praying posture, its face expressing agressiveness. Patinated and eroded wood. Nepal, early 20th century. Height: 15" (38 cm). The statue is mounted on a custom metal stand.

Very old and nicely carved black mask, of typical conical coiffe and slightly smiling feminine face. Wood, fine patina. Africa, Gabon, Punu Peoples, Tsangui sub-group. Height: 13 1/4" (34 cm). Old accident on left side of coiffe, erosion due to age, otherwise very good condition. Ex. old French collection.

Small statue of an ancestor or protecting deity, wearing a ceremonial cap, holding a sort of square box with both hands and standing on a rounded base. Wood, light brown patina. Indonesia, Moluccas Archipelago. Height: 13 1/2" (34 cm). Strong erosion and old accidents due to old age. Ex. Old French collection. A rare piece.

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.

Unusual architectural element, carved in the form of a smiling man standing on the head of a water buffalo ("carabao"). This element was part of the decoration inside a house. Wood, semi glossy patina. Indonesia, Flores Island, mid 20th century. Height: 44 cm. The element is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Very good condition despite some remnants of insect infestation (no danger).

Old helmet mask, of typical form, with three faces surmounted by an elaborate coiffe. Wood, with fine age patina. Africa, Sierra Leone, Mende ethnic group. Height: 16 cm. Diameter: 17 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Obvious signs of use and age, otherwise very good condition.

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.

Rare "Mbangu" deformity mask, showing a distorted face. Wood, with traces of black and white pigments. Africa, Gabon, Pende Peoples. Height: 12" (30 cm). The mask is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Old accident restored locally, chips, age cracks, otherwise good condition. NOTE: Representations of distorted faces are rare in African art. They symbolize the effects of epileptic crisis, which are supposed to be a manifestation of the spirits. The use of black and white pigments enhances th...

Long mask of the "Kiwoyo Muyombo" type, with typical face and long "beard" underneath covered with bicolored lozenge relief design in a bamboo slice framing . Wood, remnants of pigments, fine glossy patina. Africa, Gabon, Pende Peoples. Height: 18" (45 cm). Chips on some areas, otherwise very good condition.

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.

Tattoo ink container of cylindrical shape decorated with a monkey in relief, in a rather aggressive posture, holding the container with its four paws. Wood, with a fine dark brown patina. The piece is nicely mounted on a custom plexi stand. Height (without stand): 6.5 cm. Old restoration on one of the limbs (almost invisible), otherwise very good condition.

Fertility doll, called "akuaba", with its typical cross shape and flat circular head. Wood, with fine glossy patina. Africa, Ghana, Ashanti ethnic group. Height: 10" (26 cm). Old insect infestation at the back lower part (no danger), otherwise very good condition.

Architectural element which was probably the top part of a household altar. This element --- which represents a protecting ancestor head surmounted by a symbolic coiffe --- is resting on a squarish base. The piece is made of wood with a nice age patina. Indonesia, Leti Island. Height: 57 cm. Partial loss on the top, erosion, otherwise very good condition. Provenance: old French provincial collection. IMPORTANT: owing to the size and weight of the piece, please consult us on the shipping cost. ...

Statue of an ancestor or deity designed for the protection of a household, standing in a praying posture, with a very expressive face. Wood, age patina. Nepal, early 20th century. Height: 4é cm. The piece is mounted on a custom metal stand. Age cracks, some erosion, otherwise very 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...

Helmet mask of Janus shape, showing two busts surmounted by fierce looking faces, each one very different from the other one. The mask is made of wood covered with animal skin, with a rattan base allowing fixation to the top of the dancer's head. Beautiful dark brown glossy patina. Africa, Nigeria, Ekoi ethnic group. Height: 21 cm. Very good condition. Provenance: old European collection.

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.

Finely carved chief sceptre with a genie sitting on its top, surmounting a squatting ancestor, under which are geometric relief designs leading to the lower part. Wood, with nice glossy patina. Old porcelain ball attached with a small cotton rope to the top of the genie's head. Indonesia, Borneo Island, Dayak ethnic group. Height: 38,.5 cm. The piece is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Very good condition. A rare piece.

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 ...

Rare statue of a sitting female protector, her hands in praying posture. Eroded wood, fine patina. Nepal, mid 20th C. Height: 34 cm. Very good condition. NOTE: collected in 1974 by its former owner.

Wood spoon, its handle finely carved in the shape of a standing female figurine. Nice age patina. Ifugao tribes, Northern Luzon Island, Philippines archipelago. Height: 18 cm. The spoon is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Very good condition. Provenance: Zemanek Munster tribal art auction sale # 77.

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.

Mask used for household protection against evil spirits, with an unusual elongated form. Wood, age patina. Nepal, Gurung ethnic group, first half of 20th century. Height: 32.8 cm. Mounted on a custom stand. Some abrasion, otherwise very good condition.

Important and rare mask carved in wood fungus, of the tinder fungus type (fomes fomentarius), of rounded triangular form, with perforated oval eyes, incised mouth and nose in relief, probably added. Length: 30 cm. Height: 18.7 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Very good condition. NOTE: the tinder fungus is a parasite which grows particularly on the birch tree. This tree is highly venerated by numerous cultures with a shamanic tradition, because it is supposed to harbor deities...