This museum quality silvered bronze Nepalese or Sino-Tibetan figure of Tara (also known as Kuan Yin or Guanyin) dates to the 14th to 15th century or earlier.
It stands 10 1/2 inches tall by 3 inches in diameter.
It has exquisite details and very subtle modeling.
It is in excellent condition and retains much of it's original silver finish.
A similar example can be seen in "Oriental Art: India, Nepal & Tibet" by Michael Ridley, 1970, Plate 37 (listed as 14th Century or earlier).
This antique bronze tazza or footed dish measures 10 inches in diameter by 5 inches tall.
It features winged cherubs or angels playing musical instruments surrounded by classical motifs of alternating griffins and people facing each other. There is an additional band of griffins around the base.
This old tazza is in excellent condition and most likely dates between 1880-1920. It is very substantial and is a heavier bronze than it appears to be.
There is a residual trace of a dark stain or paint on the underside of the dish. It in no way affects the beauty or integrity of this heavy bronze dish or tazza.
This is a Tibetan copper & white metal or silver prayer box or portable shrine (Gao) with a small blue standing figure inside.
It dates circa 1890-1930, or possibly earlier.
It also has stitched covers from the early to middle 20th Century.
The front cover is covered with wonderfully hand tooled images, including a Tibetan mythical beast or lion surrounded by Buddhist calligraphy, topped by a flame. The rest of the box is copper, under the protective, stitched cover.
It measures 5 inches tall by 4 1/4 inches wide by 1 1/2 inches in depth.
It is part of a small collection of antique Asian silver artifacts that were originally acquired together. Some of these items will also be offered for sale, now or at a later date.
This antique Japanese bronze in the form of a wooden well bucket measures 6 inches (15.3 cm) tall by about 5 inches square (13.3 X 13.5 cm).
It was cast to simulate a wooden well bucket, including wood grain, knot holes and dovetailed joints.
It is unmarked except for a small square with illegible marks on the interior of the bottom.
This old bronze dates from about the late Edo to early Meiji period (to call it 19th century should about cover it, although it may actually be earlier!).
It is in very good condition, except for a few small irregularities to the casting. There are also traces of old solder around the bottom.
It appears as if the bottom came off at one time and was put back on upside down. Subsequently any marks are on the inside.
This glazed ceramic seated Buddha measures 7 inches tall by 6 1/2 inches wide by about 5 inches in depth.
It consists of a blue glaze over buff ceramic. The glaze is a deep sky blue ranging to shades of turquoise and pooling to black in the crevices. The bottom has a very fine mesh pattern embedded in it that resembles linen. There are no marks of any kind on it.
This seated figure dates to the Kangxi period of the Ching Dynasty (1644-1911) or possibly earlier.
This unique old Tibetan or Nepalese hat measures approximately 7.5 x 9 inches on it's interior and about 9 inches x 9 inches by 4 inches deep on it's exterior. The larger turquoise stones measuring about 20mm by 30 mm each.
This museum quality hat is woven from heavy silk and other fabrics and is covered almost completely with antique red coral beads, large old turquoise cabachons or beads and large water worn agate stones.
It also has a finely detailed silver pendant with additional turquoise and coral stones set surrounding a large mounted turquoise cabachon. It also has an additional jeweled and woven topknot attached to the center of the top.
Given the design of the jewels and the shape of the hat, it is possible, even probable that this hat was refashioned from an even earlier old ornamental belt.
This antique bronze figure of the Monkey God Hanuman measures 5 x 4 x 1 1/2 inches (13 x 10 x 3 cm).
It is in excellent condition.
This ancient bronze figure was most likely crafted in Northern India, Tibet or Nepal.
We are dating it to the 17th - 18th century, although it may actually be much earlier, based on it's stylistic similarities with small Pala period bronze figures.
This 19th century Japanese carved ivory okimono measures approximately 9 inches tall by 2 1/2 inches in diameter at it's widest point.
It is intricately carved with fully delineated scales and teeth on the fish. The figure riding a fish is carved from one solid walrus tusk and it sits on a separate oval section as a base. The crystalline pattern that is so indicative of walrus ivory can be seen in many places on the carving, including Kinko's robe (interior front left) and the belly of the carp or koi.
It dates from the Meiji Period in Japan (circa 1870-1900).
It is in very good condition with some stabilized antique ivory fractures as are seen on many of these okimonos that are well over 100 years old.
Japan originally imported and adapted many Taoist and Buddhist teachings from China, which were then combined with native Shinto beliefs.
One Taoist figure incorporated into Japanese artwork was Kinko, a holy hermit. He is often depicted mounted on the enormous carp that carried him to the Undersea Kingdom. There, sea creatures taught him that all life is sacred.
In Japan the carp (koi) is also a symbol of persistence, longevity, and fertility. Land-locked farmers have kept carp in their ponds to provide food for centuries and also bred them for their beautiful colors.
This antique wooden mask is a representation of Mahakala.
It dates from the late 19th or earlier.
It is similar in style and iconography to masks from Nepal, Tibet or Sikkim.
It measures about 13 inches high by 9 inches wide.
It is in very good condition except for a few small cracks and losses to the wood. It has remnants of remaining overpaint in the crevices and recessed areas.
Comparables Note: a slightly larger mask with the original paint remaining is listed in Miller's Price Guide(2003) at $7,800-$9,400 (Sotheby's - NY)(see photo enlargement #4).
This pair of charming 18th-19th century copper censors are in the form of small archaic wine jars. They have some verdigris on them but they are in excellent condition.
They measure 5 1/4 inches tall by about 4 1/2 inches wide.
The tripod feet are comprised of foo dogs or temple lions with elongated tongues. They have been used as candle holders at some time and retain a small amount of wax on the interior.
There are no marks on these censors. They appear to be Chinese, made for the Japanese market. Circa 1780-1840"s.
