Gandharan Schist Buddha Head, 2nd-3rd century

Archives: Regional Art: Asian: Indian Subcontinent Pre AD 1000: item #676110

A fine 2nd-3rd century Gandharan grey schist Head of the Buddha. From the collection of a missionary who was active in Northern India during the late 1800's. Quite refined and well modeled, measures approx. 11cm (4.25 inches) tall. Some traces of pigment still visible in the recesses of the hair and face.

Elegant Mughal Bronze Huqqa Base, 17/18thC

Archives: Regional Art: Asian: Indian Subcontinent Pre 1800: item #675101
Ch0863

A small and very elegant Mughal bronze huqqa base of conical lobed form mounted on a domed foot. Height: 6 1/8 in. 17/18th cent.

Zebrowski notes that the conical form is usually associated with huqqas designed to be portable rather than placed on the floor -as the uncommon foot on this one would suggest. There is a small hole in the body in the area indicated in the close-up and the foot and body have also sustained a f... Click for details

Miyajima Masayuki Three Massive Chargers

Archives: Regional Art: Asian: Indian Subcontinent: Sri Lanka Contemporary: item #671527

Quite extraordinary throwing and glazing on these three massive chargers; each is between 12.5-13.5cm.tallx 59.5-60cm.wide. Artist Statement: "The work/pottery that I make, I try to keep as simple as possible. I think that the form and the function of the piece should be complemented by the surface. Whatever you feel from the piece and however you connect to it should come from within the piece itself. The combination of form, surface decoration, glaze and firing should all combine to m... Click for details

Chinese Tibetan Double Iron Dorje Vajra (Cross)

Archives: Regional Art: Asian: Indian Subcontinent: Himalayas Pre 1920: item #662806
TIB-013

A cast iron double dorje with four prongs of stylized makaras.A ritual implement used in Tantric Buddhism. Size: 9.7cm x 9.2cm. Condition: No repairs.

Nepalese shaman's bird wand, Gurung

Archives: Regional Art: Asian: Indian Subcontinent: Himalayas Pre 1900: item #631987
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This carved wooden bird on a handle ending in a dagger-like shape would have been used by a shaman in a trance dance. The bird's beak and claws represent sharpness, and this is used to ward off evil spirits. The strips of cloth tied the base contribute to the hostile intent. The handle ends in a square peg which fits into a square hole in the bird.

The handle is seven inches long and the bird is nine inches long dia... Click for details

Tibetan Clay Head, Probably Yamantaka

Archives: Regional Art: Asian: Indian Subcontinent: Himalayas Pre 1800: item #628588
22139

Though we cannot say with full certainty, we suspect the head belongs to Yamantaka. We say this because of the bovine ears and the stumps above them which were probably the stumps of long-disappeared horns.

This is a very early piece, and while it has a few more recent chips (clearly visible in the photos), it still has a remarkable presence.<... Click for details

Tibetan or Nepalese Damaru

Archives: Regional Art: Asian: Indian Subcontinent: Himalayas Pre 1970: item #627823
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Damarus are a form of drum used throughout the Indian subcontinent and Tibet. They are attributes of both Hindu and Buddhist deities. Shaped like a squat hour glass, cords ending with small hard knobs strike the damaru's surface as the drum is quickly twisted from side to side.

This damaru is carved from a single piece of wood. The heads are covered with finely patterned snake skin, and the "tail" is four feet long.... Click for details

Tibetan coral bead necklace, old beads

Archives: Regional Art: Asian: Indian Subcontinent: Himalayas Pre 1900: item #626293
20093

This is a newly strung necklace of old naturally colored coral beads assembled from old pieces of Tibetan jewelry. Unlike much of what is coming out of China and Tibet recently, these beads have not been artificially colored.

The necklace is 18 inches long, and as can be seen in the photo, the beads have been knotted in black cord. Its overall weight is 99 grams.

Gilt Copper Pendant from Tibet

Archives: Regional Art: Asian: Indian Subcontinent: Himalayas Pre 1800: item #626201
20289

This pendant probably once hung from a Tibetan statue. In style it appears to be from the seventeenth or eighteenth century.

At its widest and longest it is 3-1/2 by 3-1/2 inches.

Shaman's Stool from Middle Hills of Nepal

Archives: Regional Art: Asian: Indian Subcontinent: Himalayas Pre 1920: item #625914
22529

Carved from one block of wood, this very short stool is lavishly decorated with symbols typical of Nepalese shamans. Two suns shine from the top. A fish and a bird - probably a hoopoe - command the center, and a pair of snakes occupy the bottom.

The stool measures 10 x 8 x 2.5 inches and is carved from heavy sal wood.