Four-armed sword wielding Virabhadra is a manifestation of Shiva. In this form, he decapitated the demigod Daksha who had insulted him, but in doing so, he interrupted the demigod's sacrifice by which all beings are created. Virabhadra later revived Daksha by replacing his head with that of a goat, thus ensuring the demigod survived and the continuance of creation...
This Tibetan shrine shaped gau (aka prayer box) is actually a religious shrine. When not being worn as an ornament during festivals, it would be kept in the prayer niche of the family home. The back of the box slides open. Frequently, a special prayer i.e. sutra pages would be placed inside. The small glass window at the front displays a Tsa tsa, which is a clay statue of a Buddhist Diety. These statues were made only by the monks and considered to be a holy relic...
Architectural element, of triangular form, finely carved in relief to represent a celestial being, half chimera half human, carrying a banner and surrounded by clouds. Wood, age patina. Nepal, 18th century. Length: 36.5 cm. Nicely mounted on a custom stand. Good condition.
A very rare Phurba ritual dagger of purple zitan wood with three heads of protectors on the top, a central vajra in the handle and the head of a garuda holding the triangular blade. Tibet, 15/16th century. L 28 cm. Condition: Good wear and only a few minor chips.
Though the traditional practice of Tibetan "sky burial" is well known. But in some areas of Tibet the Buddhist practice of cremation is also used for some individuals, and The ashes are placed in a box made specifically for that purpose.
This cremation box dates to the 18th century and has carved line decoration on the sides...
It is made so that the top is keyed to the bottom and slides open from one end...
Small Shiva lingam carved on black stone, with four deities heads in relief around the lingam. The object is eroded with age, and encrusted with remnants of ritual substances, but the decoration is still visible. Nepal, 15th century or earlier. Height: 6.5 cm. Length: 8 cm. Good condition.
This beautiful antique short strand of beads would have been carried in the pocket and taken out for ritual religious prayer...2 spacer counter beads are honey amber and the 3rd is red coral...
Pendant of rectangular shape ending in a triangle on its top, with a loop for possible attachment to a necklace. The pendant is decorated with an embossed design of tribal style representing Hindu god Virabhadra standing with his four arms and weapons/attributes, and surrounded by a dotted aureola. Bronze, with fine reddish green patina. India, 18th century. Height: 5.3 cm. Very good condition.
19th century Indian bronze votive sculpture of Ganesha sitting on a round base, cast in the Indian state of Karnataka. Ganesha is the remover of obstacles, and thus is invoked before any new undertaking. He bestows good luck on his worshippers, and is invoked in marriage ceremonies and in some forms of Tantric worship. Bold heavy casting with good sense of volume, beautiful warm patina, pleasant feel of age. Height 1 5/8 inches.
Late 18th to early 19th century Indian bronze votive sculpture of Ganesha sitting on a base, cast in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Ganesha is the remover of obstacles, and thus is invoked before any new undertaking. He bestows good luck on his worshippers, and is invoked in marriage ceremonies and in some forms of Tantric worship. Very good casting with nice thinly cast base, beautiful warm patina, overall in very good condition for a votive piece...
Early 19th century Indian bronze votive sculpture of Ganesha with the usual attributes in his hands, and a very worn rat - his vehicle - by his right knee, cast in the state of Karnataka. Ganesha is the remover of obstacles, and thus is invoked before any new undertaking. He bestows good luck on his worshippers, and is invoked in marriage ceremonies and in some forms of Tantric worship...
A Kashmir papier-mache vase with polychrome and gold lacquer decoration in the Mughal style. Showing couple of birds on a mille-fleurs ground or a golden feather pattern, framed by a mihrab border. The sides with two small handles in the shape of tiger heads. Condition: some chips and losses to the lacquer. Dimension: c. 22.8 cm high.
Silver pot with an elaborate embossed decoration consisting in a dragon on its handle, a "makara" on its spout, Buddhist symbols on its neck, and dragons and stylized lotus on its body. Tibet, 19th century. Height: 14.5 ccm. Very good condition.
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.
Group of 8 hand painted oval miniatures of Indian buildings including the
GOLDEN TEMPLE AMRITSAR and the TAJ MAHAL. Varying sizes, largest 5.5 x 4 cm. Undated but firmly estimated to mid 19th century. Can be viewed in central London and shipped worldwide.
Small antique Tibetan bronze cup. Intended for holding water in a Buddhist shrine. Made of bronze and shaped in the form of a lotus with petals starting in a gardroon and ending in a scalloped edge just below a ring around a smooth rim.
17th century
Dimensions: 2" high
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...
Antique 19th century Tibetan, huge Drinking Horn used to hold and dispense Chhaang or barley beer. The slightly curved large horn body mounted with four brass mounts each hammered and finely repoussed with Ruyi heads and roiling waves ornaments and fitted with three suspension loops. The wider end has been plugged with a disk of wood...