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...

Tibetan woman wore their hair in long braids which were slipped into elaborately embroidered textile sleeves for festivals.

Antique Tibetan tall bronze butter lamp for a Buddhist altar. Traditionally, the butter lamp would burn ghee. The light of the flame of the butter lamp represents the "wisdom of the awakened mind" and helps to "dispel the darkness of delusion". Most Tibetan household and temple altar displays include a butter lamp. This tall lamp resembles a multi tiered lotus blossom with decorative granulation on the edges...

Brush case, nicely embossed with an openwork decoration representing three stylised Buddhist vajras on either side, surrounded with a foliage and geometric design. Silver alloy, with a fine age patina. The center of each vajra must have contained a coral or turquoise to enhance the beauty of the case. The case was made in Tibet in the 19th century, maybe earlier. Length: 33.5 cm. Very good condition .

Sutra book clasp cast in the shape of an H, with a Tibetan "dorje" (or "vajra") placed horizontally at its center. Square opening at top and bottom for attachment. Bronze, with partly encrusted greenish patina. Tibet, 17th century, maybe earlier. Height: 1 5/8" (4,2 cm). The piece is nicely mounted on a custom wood stand. Erosion due to great age, otherwise good condition. Note: such implement was used to lock the straps that kept a "sutra" book (a book containing Buddhist texts) closed.

Rare and important mask of Defender of the Buddhist Faith, with an aggressive expression, bulging eyes, open mouth showing fangs, sun and moon symbols on forehead, stylized beard. Wood, with traces of kaolin in the recesses. Himalayan Region, Bhutan or Tibet, 18th century, probably earlier. Height: 14 1/2" (38 cm). The mask is mounted on a custom wood stand. Old accidents, erosion, otherwise good condition. Provenance: Old American collection.

Antique Himalayan tall yak butter lamp. Made of hand hammered copper with gilt bronze applied details depicting Buddhist auspicious symbols. The butter would have melted and burned for a measured amount of time depending on the size and the amount in the lamp. A small hole in the bottom of the cup would have held a sort of wick to provide a long lasting light. Overall repouse details are in great detail. Original patina...

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

Very old and important grotesque mask, with an accentuated grinning expression. Wood, traces of black pigments. Himalayan Region, Arunachal Pradesh, Monpa Sherdukpen Peoples, 18th century, probably earlier. Height: 11 1/8" (28 cm). The mask is mounted on a custom wood stand. Strong erosion, old insect infestation (no danger), otherwise good condition. Provenance: old American collection.

An antique Tibetan painted wood image depicting the Female Bodhisattva Green Tara (Sanskrit: Syamatara; Tibetan: Dölma) seated on a lotus throne in the posture of 'royal ease' with the right leg extended; the left hand is held in the mudra of blessing; the right hand extended across the right knee in the gesture of giving protection. Both hands are holding the stem of an utpala flower. H. 19 cm...

Antique, 18th - 19th century, Sino-Tibetan arched Pommel of horse saddle, hand crafted of wood, covered on the front by thick sheet of brass beautifully embossed on the center with an auspicious symbol, and scrollwork patterns on the sides, gullet adorned with cast brass arch chiseled in radiating pattern. The other side of the arch pommel is reinforced by a hand forged strap of iron...

Antique Tibetan tsakli card depicting a ḍākinī with phurba in one hand. Painted in mineral colors on paper with Sanskrit writing on the back.

Tsakli cards are powerful miniature paintings of Buddhist deities and objects. They have many different ritual uses. They can be used for teaching when a lama holds the card out for a student to focus on, thus helping them with the visualization and meditation on that deity and what it represents...

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...

Tibetan Bronze Mahakala Mask Censer. The jewelled and crowned mask well cast and raised on three feet. Tibetan 19thC. Length; 6" (15.1 cm). Condition; polished patina

An attractive copper and brass food container from Tibet. I am attracted by its simplicity and note that the copper part is brass brazed with a large dovetail seam around the middle.

Approximately 28.5cm high. One or two small dents from use...

Ancient well-carved head of Lord Bhairava of wood on a custom stand. Bhairava (Sanskrit: frightful) is a Hindu Tantric deity worshiped by Hindus. Ritually given liquor spirits during ceremonies. In Shaivism, he is a fierce manifestation of Shiva associated with annihilation. Provenance: Spinks London, Handley Collection

Date: 15th C

Dimensions: 33" tall X 17.5" wide with stand, statue alone is 27" tall X 18.5" wide and 5" deep

This is a large, early and powerful Tibetan copper repousse head. The piece is adorned with a crown of five skulls surrounded by flames.There is some very minor damage to the figure's left ear, a split, visible in the photos. Two of the crowns have lost their finial, again visible in the photos. The piece is substantial, sitting a generous 5-3/4" in height. The piece was most probably surmounted by a flame(?), now also missing. Dating to no later than the early 18th century, and most probably ea...

Nepalese wooden book cover, illustrated with colour and gold, old flaking as shown, 9x35 cm, wax seal, undated, estimated to be 19th cent or earlier, can be viewed in central London and shipped worldwide