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.
Antique Tibetan Buddhist small reliquary in stupa form. Made of glass and covered with gold leaf, this votive offering would have once been housed in a larger container and placed at the foot of an architectural stupa acting as either a funeral mound or housing relics of an important person. The shape, with it's rounded body and terraced lid, imitate the larger stupa, a three dimensional mandala and symbol of Buddha.
Age:17th/18th century
Dimensions: 3 1/2" high
18th century Indian bronze votive sculpture of Ganesha sitting on a rectangular throne with probhavali at his back, his vahana (vehicle) - a bandicoot rat - by his left foot, and holding his usual attributes in his 4 hands. This Ganesha has his trunk turned to the left, and it is strongly advisable for worshippers to keep left sided Ganesha statue at home. They are believed to be representing Ida Nadi (lunar energy) with its moonlike nature and feminine energy with a cooling effect...
Both the wooden front and back covers of this Buddhist Sutra book are hand carved with different symbols. The numerous text pages are beautifully written with rich black ink with specific words written in red ink. The book still has its original leather binding strap.
This Tibetan sutra book approximately 12 inches wide, 4 inches tall, and 2 inches thick. Though the pages are in good condition, the covers show years of wear and use and is a wonderful artifact of an old culture.
This is an antique Tibetan portable altar table used by a high lama to perform ritual ceremonies and prayers. It is decorated with curtain front cut-out panels that have a central snow lion carving and it is surrounded by beautiful articulated cloud formation. On the outer frame, it has a pho bamboo carving and beyond that is a scrolling lotus motif...
This woven Tibetan container would have been used to hold a pair of wooden tea bowls...there is an interior separator (removable) which allows for the separation of tea bowls.
Hand made using plant materials (hemp) and rattan with leather closures
Bowls would have been packed into container such as this when traveling... and from the condition of this one...it has traveled many times.
The container is 6 inches diameter at the top and 4 inches high...well aged fair condition...
Unusual mask with flat top, small forehead, relief pierced through eyes, protruding nose, open mouth showing pierced through teeth, short rounded chin. Wood, dark patina. Remnants of thin superimposed layers of polychrome pigments. Himalayan Region, early 19th century, probably earlier. Height: 10 1/4" (26 cm). The mask is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand which enhances its strange beauty. Old accident at base of chin, some erosion and flaking, otherwise very good condition...
Antique Tibetan wooden sutra cover, carved with 58 seated bodhisattvas on the front, gilded and painted with details. The interior side of the cover is lacquered red and painted with 64 seated bodhisattvas. Each figure is seated and with different mudras. The left side edge of the cover, is deeply carved with the head of a guardian demon flanked by scrolling vines...
Three large old Indian reverse glass paintings in expensive silk mounts with carved gilded frames. Undated, estimated to be late 19th early 20 th century. Overall size of each is 66 x 52 cm.
Can be viewed in central London.
A beautiful antique Himalayan / Tibetan gilt and silver repousse box, the lid with a pair of fish flanking a conch shell amid a reticulated ground, the base further etched with a pair of fish. Detailed with key fret motif and floral designs. Age: Late 19th Century. 5.25" length x 3.25" width.
From Maharashtra or Karnataka. H. 14 cm. The 23rd Tirthankara is symbolized by the cobra, which is modeled on the back of the figure.
Provenance: private collection Belgium.
Antique 19th century Indian Archer Thumb Ring Zihgir. The ring is carved of a veined green Nephrite Jade, inlaid with metal wire, and set with 8 cabochons and 3 small, oval, red and green jewels.
MEASUREMENTS: Overall length 4.5 cm (1.77 inches). The inner ring diameter is around 2.2 cm (0.87 inches).
The charming old tribal womans purse is heavily embroidered on each side and is decorated with mirrors and cowrie shells. Condition is very good, no rips, no tears, just beautifully faded vegetable dyes.
Mask of a grotesque character with twisted nose ; accident on the left side, slit on the chin (see pix) ; 26 x 16 cms.
End of 19th - beginning of 20th C, West Nepal, Gurung.
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.
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
Altar dedicated to Hanuman, the Hindu semi-god, carved in openwork relief to represent Hanuman standing with a martial attitude, carrying a club in his left hand and an uprooted tree in his right hand, and trampling a supine figure, probably a demon. Marble, with traces of red pigments. India, 18th century. Height: 13.7 cm. Abrasion due to age, otherwise very good condition.
Ritual dagger ("phurpa") formerly used by a shaman during religious ceremonies. Wood, with nice dark patina. Textiles attached on top with a chain. Old restoration with a forged metal point on the lower part of the dagger. Nepal, early 19th century. Height: 13 1/4" (32,5 cm). The phurpa is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Good condition.