Rare mask of Mahakala, cast in great detail, with a fierce expression, the head surmounted by a crown of skulls, the open mouth showing fangs. Iron with polychrome paint. Tibet, early 20th century. Height: 17 cm. Width: 17 cm. Painting partly flaked, some oxidation, oitherwise very good condition.

A pair of Tibetan finger cymbals made from cast bell metal. Decorated with incised dragons and double-vajras, interior with vajra, connected by an orange textile strap. With a long-enduring high and clear tone. Condition: traces of age, strap a bit worn. Dimension: diameter: c. 7.5 cm, weight: 356 g.

Fine lime box, made of silver with embossed decoration of floral and geometric design, its lid being adorned at its top with an embossed brass decor representing a stylised Buddhist Wheel of the Law. Beneath, an embossed design representing a stylised Buddhist Wheel of the Law surrounded by a floral decor. The box still contains remnants of lime, which is used for the betel. Tibet, early 20th century, maybe earlier. Dimensions: height: 4.8 cm, diameter: 6.3 cm. Very good condition.

Quirky image of Ganesh accompanied by four rats as devotees and musicians. This is from the last half of the 20th century- possibly a tribal image. For the most part most of the iconography and i.e., accoutrements, mudras and association of rats accompanying him are correct. I acquired this from an estate of long term Hong Kong resident, other than that I don’t have any other information other than this a very cool...

Finely cast, with fine details, miniature statue of Bodhisattva Tara, the Buddhist Goddess of Compassion, wearing a diadem, a dhoti and jewelry, sitting on a lotus throne in "lila asana" posture with her right foot resting on a lotus flower. A lotus in full blossom is resting on each arm. Bronze, with nice age patina. Tibet, early 20th century. Height: 5.4 cm. Very good condition.

A Nepalese dagger used in Shamanic and Buddhist rituals, carved from wood with a glossy patina. The handle section in the shape of a vajra with endless knots and three faces, the blade trigonal. Condition: traces of usage. Dimension: 21.1 cm long.

Antique Indian miniature painting of Shrinathji, the 7-year-old manifestation of Krishna. He stands on a small platform with an umbrella over his head. A married couple offers food and drink. The architecture of the house is wealthy with intricately painted details. In the distance, clouds form. Undoubtedly this is a scene from one of Krishna's many stories...

Early 20th Century Tibetan Thangka of Yellow Tara from a renowned and published collection. Very Good Condition. 30 x 22 inches, 76 x 56 cm.

Attractive bronze figure of Buddha seated on a double Lotus Throne and with a halo behind, Nepalese, c. late 19th.-20th. century.

Size: 25 cm. and quite substantial.

Condition: Good very fine, nice patina and intact copper seal in the base.

Ex. Danish private collection.

Collection of three vintage/antique cloth printing blocks from Tamil Nadu, carved from hard wood (probably Jackwood) all in excellent condition, acquired in India 30 years ago. Very decorative- may be hung on as a wall art ensemble. Large one: H: 26.3/10.4in x W: 16.4 cm/6.4in, round one D: 20.6 cm/10.2in and, small one H: 17.5/6.9in x W 8.3cm/3.2in.

A finely painted Nepalese Thangka, early 20th. cent.

The circle of life and Buddhist realms are depicted in this beautiful thangka painting. Hand painted using traditional technique with different colors, decorations and motif. On cotton canvas.

Size: 70x50 cm. (for the picture itself)

Ex. Danish Estate collection

A finely painted Nepalese Thangka, early 20th. cent.

The circle of life and Buddhist realms are depicted in this beautiful thangka painting. Hand painted using traditional technique with different colors, decorations and motif. On cotton canvas.

Size: 57×40 cm. (for the picture itself)

Ex. Danish Estate collection

Quirky jack wood kitchen vegetable cutting board. I acquired this in Sri Lanka but it could also be Tamil. Beautiful patina naturally smooth surface. . L: 46.5cm/17.9in and W: 29.5cm/11.6in, and H: 4.5cm/1.8in.

Ensemble of vintage and antique temple and animal bells, 19 pieces altogether 2.6kg. These were purchased in Kathmandu in the late 1980s. Please view enlargements for comments, condition and scale.

Chinese/Tibetan antique rectangular pillar rug with blue five-clawed dragon. The elongated middle section of the dragon exits the plane of the rug on either side. The dragon has five claws and is woven in shade of blue on a yellow ground with wisps of clouds and auspicious symbols. Details like it's teeth are woven in white and it's nose, tongue and flames are a coral color...

Antique Indian Kangra School miniature painting of Annapoorani Amman. A scene where Annapurna (the goddess of Nourishment and a manifestation of Parvati) seated on a throne, gives food to her consort, Shiva. The story goes that Shiva challenged the need for all materialistic things including food. Parvati, in order to prove to Shiva that food was essential (especially to his followers) disappeared, creating a state of famine. Humans and gods suffered...

Unusual Jackwood paan (betel) tray with well carved Kandy style floral medallion in the center, this motif also emulates carvings on pillars in some ancient temple. The WHO advised the Sri Lankan government against the chewing of betel and it is now illegal- that is not to say that this really stops people from still doing it though. This an antique piece with one crack. W: 29.5cm/11.5in x W: 29.5cm/11.5in x H: 6cm/2.2in

Rare Zo/Tedem "tawnok"- reference "The Art of the Zo: Philadelphia Museum of Art". The Tedum aka Tiddim are a subgroup of the Chin, who live mostly in Northern Burma, Chin State, as well India, and Bangladesh. This piece is circa 1950-1960, spun from commercial, hand dyed cotton thread with some single faced supplementary and diamond twill patterns. Please see enlargements to appreciate the complexity of this weave...

Good Bhutan hand spun blanket. I bought this from a Bhutanese woman sitting at the bottom of the trail to original Tiger Nest, in 1995. Simple but stunning wool embroidered floral and foliate medallions. Made with soft wool (very warm), comprised of two panels, perfect condition. Width: 93cm/37.5in and Length: 158cm/62in.

Antique hand-made solid silver Tibetan Buddhist Ritual Anointing Medicine Silver” Tsog “spoon adorned with repousse and engraved designs, the handle, jeweled with natural turquoise stone.

Not hallmarked but has been tested and it is at least 900 silver .

CONDITION: in very good condition with no distracting dings, dents, or repairs.

MEASUREMENTS: Overall length: 11.5 cm (6.14 inches).

WEIGHT: 17 grams...

Two(2) Tibetan Himalayan large Coral Beads, 24mm x 13mm(15/16" x 1/2"), purchased in Tibet prior to 1980.

Antique Nepali Sarangi Musical String Instrument with sublimely rendered animal and human figures, from the published and renowned collection of Sam Hilu, a prominent author and adviser on traditional Asian art, 29.75 x 7.75 inches, 75.5 x 20 cm.

Tibetan Himalayan Coral Large Bead, Drum shape, 20mm x 21mm(7/8" x 7/8"). Purchased in Tibet prior to 1980.

Antique intricately carved sandalwood card case. Condition: fine, only few tiny rim chips - please look at pictures carefully, they make part of the condition report. Dimension: 10.2 cm x 6.8 cm x 11.3 cm.

A massive/heavy SILVERED OPIUM SPOON WITH INTRICATE DETAIL WORK. ORIGIN: INDIA, 19th Century. Good Condition. Size: 14.5 cm. Weight: 79 gr. !

A good 19th century Ningxia Region pillar rug with a dragon motif. The woollen rug has a design of a blue winding dragon with open mouth; all around are Buddhist auspicous symbols like the flaming Pearl and clouds. Measurements: L 168 x 62 cm; L 66 x W 24,5 inches. Good condition.

Nepalese Magar Tribe Mask with a Vagina and an Inscription in the forehead, and a Penis Nose. 9.5 inches, 24 cm. From the collection of Irwin Hersey, renowned author on Asian and primitive art, and publisher of the Primitive Art Newsletter in the 1970s. Irwin Hersey was an advisor to museums and prominent collectors, and vetted pieces for many of the international tribal art fairs and Asian art fairs.

A small copper repousse plaque from Nepal or Tibet. Showing a dancing female deity, maybe Tara, holding lotus flowers. Condition: fine. Dimension: 11.2 cm high x 8 cm wide.

Burl wood and silver bowl, used for Tsampa, the traditional Tibetan porridge, and for buttered tea. The silver lining plain, the exterior with chased and delicately engraved decoration of flowers. Tibetan silver normally lacks hallmarks and this bowl tested for a silver content of 925 /1000. Probably antique, late 19th or early 20th century. Diameter "4 ½ / 11 cm, height "2 ¼ / 5.7 cm. Condition: fine.

Antique Nepali Sarangi Musical String Instrument with script and sublimely rendered human and animal figures and representations of modes of transportation, from the published and renowned collection of Sam Hilu, a prominent author and adviser on traditional Asian art, 27 x 8.75 inches, 68.5 x 22 cm.

A silver box with hinged lid, standing on four ball feet the base with Arabic inscription. An oblong silver tray on four feet and a fine small dish. Condition: some traces of usage, box not closing completely. Dimension: box: c. 12.6 x 6.9 x 4.4 cm, weight: 211 g, oblong tray: c. 16.5 x 11.5 x 1.2 cm, weight: 148 g, dish: 11 x 0.7 cm, weight: 44 g.

Red copper and silver bowl, Tibetan and probably used for buttered tea. Silver lining and foot rim, the latter with a border of stylized leaves, embossed and chased, probably early 20th century. Tibetan silver normally lacks hallmarks and this bowl tested for a silver content of 500/1000. Diameter "3 3/4 / 9.7 cm, height "2/ 5 cm. Condition: fine.

A lovely Sino-Tibetan or Himalayan figure of Vaisravana, Guardian of The North and One of The Four Lokapala Heavenly Kings, c. 19th. century.

This figure was made of a fine alloy of solid silver thus extremely rare and would have been very expensive when made...

The Tibetan leather flint pouch (aka strike a light) is properly known as a "mechag" (me = fire , chag = iron) or fire iron. This Tibetan flint pouch is decorated with ornate silver and bronze ornamentation with an inset red bead which appears to be a replacement for the original bead. The pouch would have been secured to the wears belt with the attached leather strap...

Fine Nepalese Mask of a Rare Type with Pigments. 10.5 inches, 26.75 cm. From the collection of Irwin Hersey, renowned author on Asian and primitive art, and publisher of the Primitive Art Newsletter in the 1970s. Irwin Hersey was an advisor to museums and prominent collectors, and vetted pieces for many of the international tribal art fairs and Asian art fairs.

Antique Gilt Bronze Himalayan Seated Diety of Kubera, lord of riches and wealth, holding mongoose spitting gold. Ornamented with crown headdress and jewelry with flowing robe on lotus throne. Pleasant face with well nourished pot belly. Base intact, sealed with cover with incised vajra design.

Size 5 1/4" High x 5 " Wide x 3 1/4" Depth
circa 1920s

Antique Nepalese lacquer garuda, the mount of Lord Vishnu in Hindu mythology. He bites the head of a snake or naga, his sworn enemy. He is colored with deep green and red pigment lacquer. Size: 5" height, 4.25" width

This is a Tibetan Ritual Celestial Crown also know as a Diadem or Ringga. It is worn by a necromancer or oracle during rituals. The "crown" consists of 5 separate paintings on paper and each painting is backed with thin cardboard for stiffness...

Antique Himalayan ritual dagger, phurba, carved of bone with skulls, makara and nagas. Phurba usually have three sides while this one is unusual in that it has two. The purpose of the phurba is it's ritual use to subdue the powers of evil and transform them into positive forces. The various elements of the phurba are symbolic - the lower part (or blade) represents "Method" and the handle represents "Wisdom". The bone material of this phurba is especially significant for it's power to drive ...

This small elaborate Buddhist monk's medicine bottle is sewn into a larger pouch of burgundy homespun wool fabric with yellow/gold silk lining. When worn, the stopper would be securely held in the bottle by a system of handmade cords and bands. The medicine bottle would be worn outside the robes and suspended on the Monk's belt. These were used for both travel and ceremonies.

Tibetan altar table made of heavy wood, painted with a three faced and six armed Boddhisattva, the sides decorated with skulls and vajras. Condition: some traces of usage, some losses to paint. Please look at pictures carefully, they make part of the condition report. Dimension: 27.8 cm x 28.5 cm x 6.3 cm, weight: 1005 g.

This short sword and matching scabbard from Bhutan is elaborately decorated. The knife handle or sword hilt has a leather cover which is detail with silver reposse and a coral bead. The wooden scabbard is covered with leather and is decorated with an elaborate silver reposse dragon. The knife blade is has a series of added symbols. The belt loop is also decorated with a series of silver objects.

This Bhutanese knife is unusually large, measuring 18 inches from the top of the handle to t...

This antique copper gau would have been kept in a prayer niche in the home and would be worn as an ornament for festival. In place of the Tsatsa (clay figure), there is a Tsakli. It was common practice to use a tsakli (small picture card) to represent the religious item which would be placed in the gau, when time and money became available. The original written talisman remains inside the gau also.

Gaus like this were commonly used by the Tibetans living inside China and those livi...

Out of Mongolia, this old leather tobacco pouch was made with a large button for hanging, long leather tassels, home made interesting decorative leather ornamentation...and hanging hook for removing old tobacco from pipe... Clearly old and well used: the leather is still playable. Great example of ethnographic folk art

Antique tribal necklace of the Naga people, native to north east India /north west Burma, composed of multicolored beads of coral, glass, quartz, and brass bells.

19th/20th century

Size: 13" length

Lovely old pair of matching Tibetan tea bowls. Carved from burl wood with silver/metal decoration around the foot and silver liner inside the bowls. bowls are roughly 2 inches high and 3.75 inches diameter across the rimmed bowl

Tibetan Himalayan Match Striker, Coral and Turquoise natural stones set in the embossed and high relief decorated hard Silver and Brass borders on Yak Skin Leather, 3 5/8" high without ring, 6" wide steel striker. The heavy hard Silver top is also decorated with fine designs which shows the wear. Six metal buttons are studded on the back, surrounded with decorated Hard Silver borders. The leather inside is dyed light red color. The condition is good.

Nice small size late 19th / early 20th century Sino-Tibetan bronze vajra - the primary symbol and ritual implement in Tantric Buddhism. It symbolizes the essence of esoteric practices and the perfected state of reality. This vajra has 5 prongs on each end - one at the center, and four at the cardinal directions - symbolizing five cosmic Buddhas. The globe in the middle is considered to be the power center of the implement, on either side of the globe there are stylized lotus petals. The four pro...

Small statue of a protector, with a high coiffe, sitting on a rounded base, his hands in praying posture. Strongly eroded wood. Nepal, early 20th century or earlier. Height: 32 cm. The statue is nicely mounted on a custom stand.

A Remarkable Indian or East Asian offering Bowl on Stand, late 19th or early 20th century.

The bowl is cast and then finished by fine chisel work and engraving, all against an intricate punched ground. It features a myriad of hunters and animals, the trees seem full of game. On the hilly horizon can be seen various dwellings and pavilions, tiny birds in the sky. The base is an arrangement of three elephant heads supporting an acanthus cup on which sits the offering bowl.

I have ...

Nepalese Mask of a Humla Aesthete with a Thorja Topknot. 11 inches, 28 cm. From the collection of Irwin Hersey, renowned author on Asian and primitive art, and publisher of the Primitive Art Newsletter in the 1970s. Irwin Hersey was an advisor to museums and prominent collectors, and vetted pieces for many of the international tribal art fairs and Asian art fairs.

Highly unusual mask, which has kept the original shape of the tree trunk from which it was carved. The mask itself is carved in a kind of "reverse relief", its features hollowed out, except for its nose. One round hole at ear level on each side. Wood, with brown semi-glossy patina. Himalayan Region, early 20th century. Height: 12" (30 cm). The mask is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand which enhances its strange beauty. Erosion on some areas (forehead, nose and chin), otherwise very good con...

A nice hand made octagon silver box with hinge depicting a raised running Lion. Good condition. Size: 7.5 cm. x 5 cm. Weight: 82 gr. silver

Indian large storytelling paining 240 x 92 cm. Pigment on cotton. Legend of Pabuji. Undated, estimated to be early 20th century.

Antique Indian « ayigalu », lingam casket, “chauka” style (Nandi’s horns shape), used by the Lingayat in Karnatakka, India. 9 x 6,5 cms. CE 236 (see Bibliography)

Indian Ramayana mask of Hanuman, General of King Sugriva's army of monkeys in the great Ramayana epic, wearing his headdress with 3 tips.
Old and heavy hard wood mask, beautiful patina, remnants of blue pigments.
Very good condition. 27x17 cms. More than 100 years old, most likely 19th C . India, Himachal Pradesh

Two antique Indian charms from Tamil Nadu. The larger one is an Araimudi, in the shape of fig leaf and was by worn by young village girls to protect their “modesty”, the smaller one was probably worn as an amulet with a granulated image of a feminine deity. Free shipping via Hong Registered Airmail. Large is H: 6.3cm/ 2.4in x W: 5.3 cm/2in, the smaller one is H: 4.4cm/ 1.7in x W: 3.2 cm/1.2in. Big one is 31 grams and small one 15 grams

Small cast bronze oil lamp in the form of an elephant drinking water from a trough. Measuring 3.5" high x 4" long, the lamp will fit in the palm of your hand and is attached to a heavy hand wrought chain that ends with a hook in the shape of a cobra. Chain and hook measures 9.5 inches long. There is a reservoir for oil inside the elephant. To use they would turn the elephant upside down to pour in the oil and then latch it shut with the sturdy removable pin. The pin is attached to the elephant...

Antique Nepalese clay sculpture of a robed monk, seated on a lotus throne in meditation. He wears a crown and holds a staff of some kind. Solid and heavy. Size: 5.5" height, 3.5" width, 1.75" thickness

This antique sutra book is from Tibet... more pages than I want to count, original paper, writings and covers... size 6 inches x 2 x 1.5