Antique Tibetan gilt bronze figure of a standing bodhisattva. He stands squarely on a lotus throne with both hands raised in abhayamudra, the gesture of reassurance as if to say "have no fear". Great care has been paid to the many flowing folds of his robes and his tall crown is embellished with ornate details. The calmness of his facial expression conveys serenity and compassion.

Age: 19th century

Dimensions: 12 1/2" high x 6" wide

Unusual antique Tibetan gau ghao (gao). Used as a portable shrine that hangs around the neck, a gao is usually a box filled with prayers written on cloth around a central deity visible through a window. This gao is flat but it is similar to the traditional gao in that it has a central deity and a window cut out of leather...

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.

Finely cast five-point vajra (or dorje), made of bronze, with nice dark green patina. Tibet, early 19th century. Length: 12.4 cm. Very good condition.

Antique Tibetan Dzi bead, agate with single white band. The mystical Dzi beads are implements of ancient Tibetan and other Asian cultures for several hundreds of thousands of years. Dzi beads are believed to hold magical properties bringing prosperity and protection to whomever wore these beads...

Ritual dagger ("phurpa") formerly used by a shaman during ceremonies. The phurpa is made of wood, and is decorated in relief from top to bottom with three deities heads surmounted by a point, above geometric designs of chevrons and knots, themselves on top of the three blades decorated with snake design in relief. Nice dark-brown glossy patina. Several textile knots are affixed on the handle to "protect" the shaman's fingers from the magic strength of the phurpa. Nepal, 19th century...

17th Century Tibetan Avalokitesvara Thangka, 29.5 x 21 inches, 75 x 53.5 cm. Most of these thangka were photographed through glass frames, so there may be a little blurriness. This thankga was in an exhibition at the University of Texas Art Museum.

A rectangular repoussé box, decorated with peony, floral sprays and Buddhist symbols. The sides decorated with meanders, the back with floral motives and a ‘Shou’ character, symbolizing longevity. Both sides of the box have gilded details. Dimensions: 10 x 8,5 x 4,5 cm. Weight: 242 g. The box is in very good condition and has normal age wear. Date: 19th to early 20th century.

This elaborate beaded breastplate would have been worn for festivals by a wealthy Tibetan woman. The main section has 3 ornate silver and turquoise ornaments surrounded by a raised beaded coil which is bordered with cowrie shells. The neckline rolled and padded.

It is 13 inches across at the widest point and can be tied around the neck using the attached fabric ties. As is obvious in the pictures, there are a couple areas of lose on the turquoise ornaments.

Rare Nepalese Shaman's Ritual Harness and Belt Suit of Bells, Feathers, Animal Hide, Shells, Fur, Metal, and Fabric. From the collection of Sam Hilu, prominent collector and author on Asian and African art. An old and rare piece that was used in rituals performed by a West Nepalese Shaman of the Magar Tribe in the Rukum District. Beautifully mounted and displayed on a custom metal stand...

Early 19th century Tibetan / Mongolian thangka depicting Tserendug - the White Old Man - Lord of the earth and water, protector of all living things. Rare icon, Tserendug as the patron of the plant and animal world is one of the ancient chthonic deities incorporated into Buddhist iconography and is associated with Buddha Amitayus...

Antique Tibetan painting of a boddhisatva framed. The front and back are visible through glass panes. A crowned central figure, boddhisatva, sits atop a lotus bloom holding a white peony flower in his left hand. He is surrounded by 7 figures. 18th century. Mineral pigments on cotton. Measures 24.5" by 18.5", framed 29" by 23".

Matching pair of early 19th century altar size Sino-Tibetan thangkas depicting Buddha Shakyamuni and Tsongkhapa, respectively. It is unusual to have a set. Historical Buddha is shown emanating rays of golden light, his right hand in bhumisparsha (earth-touching) mudra, his left hand holding an alms bowl, rich offerings in front of his lotus throne...

This old drum from Nepal was used for festival and carried in parades. The man would use the left hand to hold the drum by the handmade ropes across the back of the drum. He would use the right hand to strike the drum skin. The chains and metal bits hanging from the bottom would add an extra "jangle" sound while drum moving. Clearly made as folk art instrument, the drum is somewhat out of round and about 18" at the widest diameter.

Excellent quality antique Himalayan Nepalese large ritual bronze Buddhist oil lamp Sukunda, 18th century, Nepal, Newar tribe Kathmandu Valley.

The lamp consists of an oil storage pitcher with a dragon-shaped handle made of several elements of copper alloy, hand-forged, repoussé, and engraved, soldered, riveted, and hinged together.

The pitcher holds oil for use during rituals...

A small carved wooden stele from Nepal of a Buddhist or more likely Hindu deity, maybe Indra. Bejeweled god with a fan-shaped crown, seated on a lotus base in lalita-sana under a mandorla. Traces of vermilion. Condition: see photos, wear, and small losses. Dimension: total height: c. 17.3 cm, c. 10.3 cm wide, c. 5 cm deep.

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 .

An unusual model of Phurba in lost wax cast bronze and gilded with mercury. Iron blade. The handle is made up of a whole bust of the deity and not just a head as we can usually find it. Known models with busts are extremely rare, there are 2 or 3 in the museums of Delhi. Examination shows us that it is not a montage from a cut statuette but that the bust was cast especially for this Phurba. The lower part of the skull necklace was broken and lost; it was replaced...