Silver Lime Box from Bhutan

Archives: Regional Art: Asian: Indian Subcontinent: Himalayas Pre 1900: item #299067
12665

Silver boxes like this were carried by Bhutanese of a certain class in the pouch of their garment. They were used specifically for carrying betel nuts and leaves for presentation.

This one is decorated on top with a double dorje flanked by two dragons. Around the border are the eight auspicious symbols and other offerings.

This box measures 6... Click for details

Carved Wooden Garuda from Bhutan

Archives: Regional Art: Asian: Indian Subcontinent: Himalayas Pre 1900: item #298752
19675

Garuda is a particular favorite in Bhutan. Here he is represented in a small wood carving of unknown purpose.

The excellent patina and the lightness of the wood suggest a century of age so we've dated it as pre-1900 with the disclaimer than we can't say for sure and doubt anyone else could either. It could be less that that age or it could be very much older.... Click for details

Tibetan Votive Tablet, Tsa-Tsa

Archives: Regional Art: Asian: Indian Subcontinent: Himalayas Pre 1700: item #298250
16554

Painted tsa-tsa from the 17th or 18th century. Three-headed wrathful deity with six arms in yab-yum with consort. It measures 4" x 3". Good condition barring a few chips visible in the photographs.

Tibetan Book Cover

Archives: Regional Art: Asian: Indian Subcontinent: Himalayas Pre 1492: item #297809
16819

Featuring a sacred vase in an intertwined scroll design, this book cover measures 29-1/4" by 11" and is 1-5/8" thick. The carving shows traces of gold against a red ground which remains largely intact. The reverse side is plain with worn red paint. The right end is carved.

This book cover closely resembles one shown on the Rubin Collection website dated to the fifteenth century.... Click for details

Bronze Standing Oil Lamp from Nepal

Archives: Regional Art: Asian: Indian Subcontinent: Himalayas Pre 1900: item #297741
17333

Bronze casting has always been a specialty of the Kathmandu Valley, and before the days of electricity oil lamps like this were a very common accessory for more affluent households. The dish shaped top would hold a small puddle of oil and a wick.

This lamp is unusual in that it was cast in three parts which thread together. Its condition is good though it has been cleaned of most of its original patina. The base ... Click for details

Tibetan silver butter lamp

Archives: Regional Art: Asian: Indian Subcontinent: Himalayas Pre 1900: item #297375
19366

Large proportioned silver butter lamp with inset turquoise stones. Condition is good; no damage. It has been left unpolished, though there is nothing to prevent its being shined. The silver is "coin" quality. It stands 9-1/4" tall and is 6-3/4" in diameter at the top. It weighs 34.4 ounces.

A very traditional design its central portion reflects a Buddhist "vase of life". The four plaques around the cup illustrat... Click for details

Tibetan Lama

Archives: Regional Art: Asian: Indian Subcontinent: Himalayas Pre 1980: item #283196
0520

Outstanding Bronze Sino-Tibetan image of a high-ranking Lama, probably a representation of an early Dalai or Panchen. Not much age to this piece (second half of 20th century) but the craftsmanship, balance and attention to detail are superb. Good black patina and one floral ribbon is missing from the right hand side. Height: 27cm/10.7in height and 17.2cm/6.8in width at base.

Wood Trunk With Painted Scenes, Qing

Archives: Regional Art: Asian: Indian Subcontinent: Himalayas Pre 1900: item #278377
60-65

Five paintings, two of them spirited scenes from Chinese opera, cover the sides and top of this 19th century octagonal shoe trunk. Painted in tawny tones of cream, orange/red and brown, the scenes float in strong contrast to the very dark green muted background color. The two opera vignettes, one of them showing the Taoist immortal Le T'ieh-kuai, patron of travelers, as a beggar with his identifying iron staff, are painted on raised panels. This trunk, or lidded box, is one of the many types of ... Click for details

Old Kukri Silver Presentation KOTHIMODA Nepal

Archives: Regional Art: Asian: Indian Subcontinent: Himalayas Pre 1920: item #272294
3013

AN OLD SILVER MOUNTED KUKRI, KOTHIMODA, NEPAL.

This type of mounted kukri is known as a kothimoda. Generally for presentation to a dignitary or retiring officer, sometimes to mark some heroic event when the recipient’s personal kukri would be richly mounted. From my reading of the subject these kothimoda are quite rare.

The wooden s... Click for details

Fine Old Repousse Censer, TIBET

Archives: Regional Art: Asian: Indian Subcontinent: Himalayas Pre 1920: item #271102
3002

A GOOD TIBETAN COPPER AND BRASS INCENSE BURNER.

The body of this censer has been raised from one thin sheet of copper which has had a great deal of intricate repousse work done to its surface, all hand done of course. Quatrefoil holes are then cut into the body and these are covered with pierced repousse brass dragon panels, also of a high quality, these let out the incense smoke. The lid is similarly made and i... Click for details