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.

A Nepalese wood sculpture of Bhairava and his consort Bhairavi on a custom stand. Bhairava (Sanskrit: frightful) is a Hindu Tantric deity worshiped by Hindus. In Shaivism, he is a fierce manifestation of Shiva associated with annihilation.

Date: 15th / 16th century Provenance: Spinks London 1985, thence Handley Collection

Dimensions:18" tall X 12" wide X 4" deep with stand, sculpture 17" tall X 12" wide X 3.25" deep

Small mask representing the face of a "lakhe", an celestial entity which protects humans and households against evil spirits. Wood, with beautiful dark patina. Himalayan Region, 18th century. Height: 5 1/4" (13,5 cm). The mask is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Old restoration at the back of the right eye, erosion due to age, otherwise very good condition. A rare piece in this size.

Antique thangka painting with Buddha seated high above and also ascending from a heavenly realm. A palace below with many llamas and attendants. An altar is spread with auspicious objects. At the very bottom of the scene, figures relax in palace rooms flanking a garden. Painted in mineral colors on cotton.

Age: circa 1900

Dimensions: 56" high x 43 1/2" wide

This is a Nepalese illuminated manuscript, dating to circa the 18/19th century. Done in the customary "accordion" format, the book features a large multi-armed Goddess (probably Durga or Kali), with multiple attendant figures. The illuminated area measures 8-1/2" X 11-1/2" and occupies three panels of the manuscript. The reverse side consists of handwritten text (Devanagari? Sanskrit?), the whole on thickened yellow paper...

17th Century Tibetan Green Tara Thangka, 49.5 x 29.5 inches, 126 x 75 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.

Miniature statue of Buddha Gautama, in formal attire, wearing diadem, a lotus flower beside each shoulder, his hands in "dharmacakra mudra", sitting cross-legged on a lotus throne. Bronze, with fine reddish-green patina. Tibet, 17th century, maybe earlier. Height: 4.9 cm. Erosion due to great age, otherwise very good condition...

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

A very rare small box, made of embossed brass, lavishly decorated with various designs on its lid and body. On the lower part of its body the design is a series of "niches" containing effigies of deities and also the portrait in profile of an important person, probably a king. Superb dark-green and reddish patina. Tibetan characters beneath. Tibet, 17th century. Height: 3 3/8" (8,7 cm). il. Superbe patine.

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...

Pair of antique Tibetan snow lions. Made of gilded bronze with polychrome details. Wild, open mouthed expressions and paws over heads. These lions were once part of a Buddhist display. Snow lions are thought to be the king of beasts to the Tibetan people. They personify joy and bliss and represent the hermits and yogis that live in the Himalayas...

Two very well-painted miniature Tibetan paintings on treated cloth (not paper). One wrathful, one tranquil. The larger of the two measures 3-1/4" X 4", while the smaller of the two, the wrathful one, measures 3-1/8" X 3-1/2". Minor rubbing, as seen in the photos. No retouching or repainting.

Statue of a standing guardian lion, cast in the typical style of Newar statuary. Bronze, dark green patina with reddish areas. Nepal, 18th century. Height: 8 cm. Length: 8 cm. Old accident on the tail, otherwise very good condition.

Nepalese Middle Hills Mask with a Third Eye. 10.75 inches, 27.5 cm.

19th (can be as early as 18th) century Tibetan banded agate bead of elongated seed shape. Beautiful stone with wonderful contrasting layers, excellent patina from wear, very pleasant to hold. Length 1.63 inches.

Antique Tibetan Buddhist small reliquary in stupa form. Carved of quartz crystal in two sections with traces of 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, imitates the larger stupa, a three dimensional mandala and symbol of Buddha. With a small wooden collector's box...

Early 20th Century Tibetan Thangka of Unusual Garuda from a renowned and published collection. Very Good Condition. 27 x 20.5 inches, 69 x 52 cm.

Antique Tibetan tsakli card depicting a wrathful deity (Heruka) wielding a sword on horseback. Painted in mineral colors on paper with Sanskrit description 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...

Finely cast small statue of Krishna depicted, according to tradition, as a mischievous boy, reclining and stealing the butter ball. Krishna is wearing a diadem, at the back of which is a loop suggesting that this statue was originally used as a pendant. Bronze, with with partly encrusted reddish green patina, with traces off ritual material. Nepal, 17th century. Length: 4.9 cm. height: 4.3 cm. Very good condition.

Mongolian or Tibetan illustrated manuscript. 13 double sided leaves, coloured inks on paper. Wooden boards with cloth lining. Probably 18th century or earlier. Leaves 365 x 70 mm.

A fine lot of 5 metal items from the same collection:

a) Leather, silver, gilded brass, copper, corals. Wallet in form of vajra, 12 x 7,5cm. b) Silver, copper, with turquoise and corals. Gunpowder container in form of a horn, L ca 20cm. c) Silver gau container with a coral and four glass stones, H 11,5cm.. d) Bronze alloy, silvered tingsha cymballs with dragons, ca. 7,5 cm. in diameter. e) Brass vajra. 19th - early 20th century, L 12,8cm.

Traces of usage...

Small architectural element with a finely carved relief decor showing a couple in erotic embrace. Wood, with nice patina. Nepal, early 17th century maybe earlier. Height: 26,5 cm. The piece is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Erosion due to great age, otherwise very good condition.

Finely cast statue of Green Tara, of typical Newari style, wearing diadem and dhoti, sitting on a double lotus throne, a lotus flower on each shoulder, her left hand in "vitarka mudra", her right hand in "varada mudra", her right foot resting on a lotus flower protruding from the throne. Gilt bronze. Nepal, late Malla period, 16th century. Height: 8.3 cm. Gilding partly missing on some areas, otherwise very good condition.

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

Antique Tibetan gilt bronze figure of the Bodhisattava, Avalokiteshvara. The Luminous Lord of Infinite Compassion sits in padmasana position with his hands held in front of his chest in the complex dharmachakra mudra. Also called the teaching mudra and "spinning the wheel of the Law", dharmachakra relates the Buddha's teaching in the forest of Sarnath. Avalokiteshvara wears a 5 pointed crown and other princely jewels but also has the long locks of an ascetic. The compassion in his expression ...

Set of 9 Mongolian buddhist paintings. 19th century. Pigments on cotton. Each approx 20x15cm In custom made frame. Can be viewed in central London by appointment. And shipped worldwide.

Museum quality and very rare group of three statues representing Indra and his consorts. Indra is sitting in "vajrasana" on a lotus throne, his left hand resting on his knee , his right hand in "vitarka mudra". Indra has his forehead showing the third eye horizontally, and is wearing an elaborate crown, jewels and a "dhoti". A lotus is attached to each shoulder. The lotus on the right, supporting the typical "vajra", allows, together with the horizontal third eye, to identify the central statue ...

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.

Wood mask, with strong features, of a Mahakala. Dark brown glossy patina. Bhutan, 19th century. Height: 28.5 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Very good condition. NOTE: collected in Nepal in 1978.

A group of five illustrated manuscript leaves on thickened paper illustrating various "avatars" of Vishnu and other, related figures. Each leaf measures, approximately, 9" X 4". A bit rough around the edges, as shown in the photos. Still, a rare grouping.

Rare plate decorated with a relief design representing two intertwined Citipati dancing together on a lotus. Gilt copper, fine patina. Tibet, 19th century. Height: 39.4 cm. Very good condition.

Very rare heavy hardwood mask, with strong features in relief, an incised sacred trident on its forehead (the traditional weapon of Hindu god Shiva), round metal added eyes, large nose and mouth. Beautiful age patina, with traces of original pigments meant to enhance the mask features. Himalayan region, early 20th century. Height: 27 centimeters. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Old accidents which do not impair the mask beauty and unique quality, otherwise very good condition

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

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. They are also thought to hold medicinal properties, and so can be characterized by the "dig marks" left over the surface of the bead, where a small portion has been scraped away to be ingested.

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Finely cast small statue of Green Tara, wearing diadem jewelry and dhoti, sitting in regal repose on a double lotus throne, her left hand holding a lotus flower. Tibet, 19the century. Height: 4 cm. Slight erosion on the gliding, otherwise very good condition.

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