Late 19th - early 20th century Tibetan mala - Buddhist rosary consisting of 108 faceted Peking glass beads and 4 jadeite ones that serve as spacers dividing the prayer beads into groups of 27 each. Traditionally Buddhist rosary of 108 even-sized beads is used for mantra recitation. The thread represents the continuity of the buddhadharma piercing the 108 worldly passions...

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 19th century Sino-Tibetan (Tibet or Nepal) seated figure of Avalokiteshvara, made of finely cast copper alloy...

Antique 19th century Tibetan Buddhist ceremonial solid silver cup stand with cover (Dhakya), fitted with 13th century Blue and White Yuan dynasty porcelain teacup, hand-painted in the center in cobalt blue with a Chinese character within a circle and four Chinese characters on the exterior wall...

18th century or earlier Tibetan carnelian agate dzi bead with geometric designs of lines and dots. Dzi beads are believed to hold magical properties and are worn as amulets protecting from demons, bringing prosperity, overcoming negative forces, clearing obstacles, increasing merits & longevity. Beautiful stone with typical agate layer lines and wonderful light colored etching. Excellent patina with great feel of age, expected small nicks, chips and other signs of long life...

Tibetan or Mongolian Rare Buddhist Tantric painting of sets of offerings (rgyan tshogs). Undated, estimated to be 18th century Inks and colours on cloth. 54cm square

Statue of Hindu god Indra, wearing a diadem, large earrings and a loin cloth, sitting in a variation of the virasana posture. He has the typical third eye on his forehead. His face reflects a profound inner serenity. The statue is made of gilt bronze, with a nice age patina and remnants of ritual material on the face. Nepal, early 19th century. Height: 24.5 cm. Old encrustations, otherwise very good condition.

A beautiful bronze temple bell with twisted stem and with two Garudas seated under the protective roof of the Cobra as a finial, Nepalese, 18th.-19th. century AD.

With a stunning brown patina and inscribed with short inscription in Sanskrit on the side of the bell.

Size: 20,7 cm. tall and weighing c. 720 grams.

Ex...

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.

Antique Tibetan horse saddle. Made of wood and decorated with red lacquer flowers and scrolling vines on a black lacquer ground. Horse riding on in Tibet is especially popular on the plateau of Western Tibet where the Kampa horsemen have held traditional horse races and festivals for generations. This saddle comes with a custom metal stand.

Age: 19th century

Dimensions: 10" high x 18" long x 14 1/2" wide (17" high on stand)

A high quality large bronze figure of the seated Indra, Nepal, c. 19th. century.

A artfully modelled figure. Normally this fine type is from around 13 cm. to max 21 cm. - our figure is no less than 27 cm. and thus also very broad and heavy for it's type!

The bronze with semiprecious stone inlays depicting the deity seated in maharajalilasana (royal ease), dressed in a dhoti, adorned with jewels and a crown...

Antique Himalayan small silver Buddha Sakyamuni seated in vajrasana position on a lotus throne. His feet are folded in his lap in vajraparyankasana and his right hand reaches down in bhumispara mudra. His expression is compassionate with downcast eyes and a slight smile. The bottom of the base is covered in copper.

Age: 19th century

Dimensions: 3 1/8" high x 2" wide x 1 5/8" deep

Antique Himalayan tsha tsha (small votive plaque) depicting White Tara seated on a lotus throne. White Tara (the Mother of all Buddhas) is worshipped as the embodiment of the maternal aspect of compassion. Her seven eyes allow her to see all suffering.
Tsha Tsha were cast of clay mixed with ground incense and sacred ash. They were dried in the sun and painted with polychrome pigments. Small votives like this one were left as offerings at spiritual sites along a pilgrim's route...

Antique Himalayan tsha tsha (small votive plaque) depicting a red bodhisattva seated on a lotus throne. Tsha Tsha were cast of clay mixed with ground incense and sacred ash. They were dried in the sun and painted with polychrome pigments. Small votives like this one were left as offerings at spiritual sites along a pilgrim's route.

Age: 18th century

Dimensions: 3 3/4" high x 3 1/8" wide x 1 3/8" deep

Antique Tibetan pair of offering bowls. Each bowl is carved of burl wood and has an ornate silver foot decorated with cabochons of coral and turquoise. The silver bottom of each bowl is incised with a scene of mother and baby fu lions. The bowls have interiors that have been lined and edged with silver.

Age: 19th century

Dimensions of each: 2 1/2" high x 6 1/4" wide

Large mask representing the face of Mahakala with its typical terrifying expression, the features being carved in relief and the mouth in openwork showing teeth . At the top of the back of the head a small cylinder has been carved on a small platform. This cylinder was meant to contain a horse hair (often of white coulour), to decorate the mask. Wood, with obvious signs of great age and remains of woodworm attack (no more danger). Old accidents and old and local restorations on top of mask...

Antique Nepalese Hindu priest's bronze bangle bracelet. Made with intricate and highly raised Shiva symbols and animals.

Age: 19th century

Dimensions: 4" wide diameter

Antique Himalayan mask of Bhairava carved of rock crystal with skulls and brows in gilt copper repousse...

Antique Himalayan lidded box for Buddhist ritual use. Cylindrical form with four feet. Decorated with mixed metal inlay of silver and copper. The sides with a central band of heads and skulls. The lid with double vajra motif and an outer band of intricately inlaid silver coils.

Age: 18th century

Dimensions: 4 1/2" high x 4" wide

Antique Himalayan ritual dagger, phurba, carved of bone with skulls, makara and nagas. Phurba usually have three sides while this one is unusual in that it has two. The purpose of the phurba is it's ritual use to subdue the powers of evil and transform them into positive forces. The various elements of the phurba are symbolic - the lower part (or blade) represents "Method" and the handle represents "Wisdom". The bone material of this phurba is especially significant for it's power to drive ...

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.

Please study the photographs.

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Please note...

Shaman's bracelet used during rituals meant to favor crops. Tha bracelet is decorated with two stylised men, each standing behind a plough drawn by two oxen. The rest of the decor consists in stylised plants and a circle (the sun?). The bracelet is made of bronze, with a beautiful patina. Himalayan Region, early 19th century, probably earlier. Inside diameter: around 8 cm. Very good condition. A very rare piece.

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.

An incredible Tibetan gilt bronze dynamic figure of Vajrabhairava, the wrathful form Manjushri. In Tibetan: dor je jig je, pa wo chigpa. In English: The Solitary Hero Vajra Terror. Vajrabairava is part of the practice of Yamataka (of the Gelug tradition). In this sculpture, Vajrabairava is locked in tantric embrace with his female counterpart. He has 9 faces, the central face being of a buffalo and the uppermost head that of Manjushri. He is flanked on either side by 34 arms, each hol...

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. The iron blade, very oxidized, ...

Two(2) Tibetan Himalayan large Coral Beads, 24mm x 13mm(15/16" x 1/2"), purchased in Tibet prior to 1980.

Tibetan Himalayan Coral Large Bead, Drum shape, 20mm x 21mm(7/8" x 7/8"). Purchased in Tibet prior to 1980.

Women’s three paneled silk dress circa 1970 to 1990, hand woven from Bhutan. Minor fraying along one side where as well some pinholes and stains. L: 2.3m/90in and W: 1.43m/56in.

Mystical Dzi beads have been implements of ancient Tibetan culture for thousands of years. They are believed to hold magical properties bringing prosperity and protection. 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. This Dzi bead has a pattern of one large white square and one circle, or "heavenly eye", considered one of the most sought after charact...

Mystical Dzi beads have been implements of ancient Tibetan culture for thousands of years. They are believed to hold magical properties bringing prosperity and protection. 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. This Dzi bead has a pattern of 8 white circles, or "heavenly eyes", considered one of the most sought after characteristics. It also ha...

Antique Tibetan tsakli card painted with the figure of Canda-Vajrapani. The fierce deity is one of the earliest bodhisattvas of Mahayana Buddhism. Considered the protector and guide of Gautama Buddha, he symbolizes the manifestation of the Buddha's power. On this card, he is shown with vajra in hand, a tiger skin around his waist, surrounded by his flaming nimbus. The back of the card has Tibetan writing that reads, ཕྱག་རྡོར་གཏུམ་ པོ་ "Phyag rdor gtum...

A copper "gau" prayer box, the lid with chased Kalachakra mantra. Inside a fine "tsakli" painting on canvas in colors and gold, depicting the deity "Green Tara", sitting on a lotus throne. The fitted tsakli is removable and with no inscription on the backside. Condition: painting little rubbed, gau interior with some verdigris. Dimension: gau: 9.5 x 11.3 x 3.2 cm, height tsakli: c. 8.5 cm.

Antique Tibetan small bronze votive cup for use on a Buddhist altar to make offerings to various deities. There are 8 auspicious items traditionally offered: water to drink, water to wash, flowers, incense, light (an oil lamp or candle), perfume, celestial food, and music (usually a conch shell). This bronze cup stands on a small round foot and has a deep, rich patina. The underside of the cup is decorated with a raised four-petaled floral motif.

Age: 18th century

Dimen...

Fine and rare old rattan “tali” basket with a contracted mouth from the Idu Mishmi ethnic group of Arunachal Pradesh, India. In India they are primarily animist but in China where they are known as the Lhoba they have a strong spiritual affiliations with Tibetan Buddhism. Google “Bamboo and Cane Culture of Arunchal Pradesh” and you will get a good description of this regional craft. As Sino/Arunachal Pradesh border is disputed with China (it should be noted this where the Dal...

Antique Tibetan silver incense burner in three pieces. Created as a smaller version of a kapala (skull cup) ritual vessel for Buddhist ceremonies. The censor seats into a triangular base covered with designs of swirling mist and Sanskrit symbols. The lid is similarly decorated and has a vajra finial.

Age: 19th century

Dimensions: 7 3/4" high x 4 1/4" wide x 4 1/2" wide

Antique Tibetan or Nepalese Buddhistic Thangka / Tangka, gouache on canvas, second half of the 19th century. In original condition, fastened to a wooden stick and o be rolled up with a cinnamon-brown silk cover to protect the painting which is framed by silk brocade of the same colour. The back with the name of the artist, a Buddhistic monk, finely inscribed in red. The picture itself represents one hundred boddhisatvas in various sizes and positions among clouds. The painting measures "14 1/3 x...

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.

Attra...

A pierced fragment of an antique Tibetan or Nepalese torana, worked in copper repousse with remains of gilding and colors. Showing a caparisoned elephant with a snow lion on his back, lifting a deity riding on the mythical beast "sharabha". Condition: wear to gilding, slightly warped. Dimension: 36.5 cm high x 15 cm widw x 2.5 cm deep.

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.

Tibetan Himalayan Monastery Monk's Pray Table used in the Monastery, Ca. 1800's, 31" wide, 23" high, 13 1/4" deep, Lacquered on top of raised design low relief design of the scrolling vines on the both sides and Snow Lions Face in front upper section, large carved Buddhist Lotus Leaves on the bottom section. This Pray Table is in original old condition, no restorations or any new lacquer finish added. This Tibetan Pray Table was one of the collection in DC area collector's home for more th...

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. Straight down the front, there is an inverted foot with a key fret pattern based with a horse hoof buffer.
18th Century

25" Wide by...

These two saddle rugs, in knotted pile, are forming a pair and were used together: the larger piece with trapezoid ends served as a saddle cloth (makden), while the smaller rug was a saddle cover (masho). Both items are in their original condition, with a red trim and backed with a coarse beige fabric. Provenance: old Swiss collection. Dimension approx.: makden: 120.5 x 67 cm, masho: 82.5 x 66 cm. Condition: signs of age and wear, rims with partial discoloration, faded.

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 Nepali Sarangi Musical String Instrument with sublimely rendered animal and human figures, from the published and renowned collection of Sam Hilu, a prominent author and adviser on traditional Asian art, 29.75 x 7.75 inches, 75.5 x 20 cm.

Antique Nepali Sarangi Musical String Instrument with sublimely rendered tiger and human figures, from the published and renowned collection of Sam Hilu, a prominent author and adviser on traditional Asian art, 27 x 7.5 inches, 68.5 x 19 cm.

Antique Nepalese bronze melong, "Mirror of Emptiness". Melong are placed on altars to reflect right thoughts. This melong has a polished center surrounded by flames. It stands on a lotus base. It is the same on either side. A soft rattling sound from within the convex portion of the mirror reveals that it has been consecrated, meaning a prayer has been placed inside.

Age: 18th/19th century

Dimensions: 7 1/2" high x 4 1/4" wide x 2 1/2" deep

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

Highly ornate silver belt buckle with turquoise and coral Stones, Tibetan, 19th century, mounted on contemporary black leather belt. The silver buckle measures 7 1/4" wide, and is 1 1/2" deep, with two large bezel set coral beads and a turquoise stone between them. The black leather is 1 3/8" wide and 47 3/4" long. The sections with holes will adjust to waist size of 36 1/2" to 40", though more holes could be made to make it fit a smaller waist. The buckle is curved slightly from end to end...

A very attractive votive image of Akshobya Buddha in fire gilt bronze. He is seated on a fairly high, lotus throne. The hem of his robes are accentuated with raised lines made as strings of pearls with the lower parts decorated w. incised patterns. The robe covering the left arm is open underneath and the rim of the seat has large pearls in accordance with 15th century stylistic features for Central Tibetan bronze images of Buddha. Remains of cold gilding on the face and blue pigments on the ch...

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

Antique Tibetan tsakli card depicting a wrathful deity (Heruka) 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. The cards are often used as part of...

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. The cards are often used as part of altar di...

Antique Tibetan tsakli card depicting a wrathful deity (Heruka) wielding a sword and banner. He wears a tiger skin around his middle and a human skin tied around his neck. 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 visualiz...

Antique Tibetan tsakli card depicting a wrathful deity (Heruka) wielding a knife on the back of a fu-lion. 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. The ca...

Antique Tibetan tsakli card depicting a beast-headed ḍākinī. 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. The cards are often used as part of altar displays that...

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. The cards are ofte...

Antique Tibetan bronze seated figure of Vajrasattva. Also called Dorje Sempa, Dorje means "indestructible diamond" and Sempa is the Tibetan term for Sattva in Sanskrit meaning "heroic being". Sempa in this case, refers to the role of a Bodhisattva, someone on the road to becoming a Buddha but who has stayed behind, selflessly dedicating themselves to helping others gain enlightenment. Draped in beauty and calm, Vajrasattva sits on a lotus throne with a vajra scepter in one hand and a vajra...

Four Arms Avalokiteshvara (Tibetan: Chenrezig; Chinese: Sibi Guanyin), the Bodhisattva who embody the Universal Compassion. Seated in meditation with the upper hands holding a prayer beads and a lotus; the lower ones in worshiping Mudra ( Anjiali Mudra). Made of purple sandalwood (zitan), a very precious type of wood dear to Himalayan worshippers. The image is painted and has remains of gilding in the halo. As it is normal for images of this type, it is assembled from several pieces. The bot...

Antique Nepalese bronze figures of Yama Dharmaraja and Yami in tantric embrace. The buffalo headed Buddhist protector, Lord of Death and Justice stands with his consort. He tramples a male buffalo with one foot, a female victim with the other. He brandishes a skull-tipped stick in his right hand and his hair streams out in flames behind his horns.

Age: 19th century

Dimensions: 5 1/4" high x 3 1/4" wide x 2" deep

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. With metal stand.

Age: 16th-17th century

Dimensions: 9 1/2" high x 28 3/8" long x 1" thick (13" high on stan...