Silver Bracelet with Lapis from Nepal

Vintage Arts: Regional Art: Asian: Indian Subcontinent: Himalayas Pre 1980: item #719796
55-98

Lapis and carnelian stones in an ornate setting mounted on a band of light, feathery etching is somehow evocative of Nepal where this bracelet originated. The bracelet is sized relatively large and, while it can be adjusted, may fit and look best when worn over a heavy sweater or jacket cuff. From the late 20th century, the piece is in excellent condition. We do not know the silver content but suspect it is relatively low as is typical for jewelry from Nepal. The inside width of the bracelet mea... Click for details

Tibetan Carpet Horse Trapping

Vintage Arts: Regional Art: Asian: Indian Subcontinent: Himalayas Pre 1940: item #718038
23977

Woven like a pile carpet this piece was used by Tibetan horsemen to decorate the forehead of one of their horses.

The central decoration is a vase holding a norbu (flaming jewels). Around it are groups of jewels.

The piece is in good condition except that the edges would originally have been bound with cloth. Instead it has been carefully s... Click for details

Tibetan Meditation Carpet Endless Knot

Vintage Arts: Regional Art: Asian: Indian Subcontinent: Himalayas Pre 1920: item #705926
22409

This kind of small rectangular pile carpet could have been used in a monastery or a domestic meditation room, or it could even have been used as the seat part of a saddle set. A very similar one is shown as pl. 239 in Tibetan Rugs, White Orchid Books.

The carpet is in good condition, natural dyes, and no reweaving. It measures 26-1/2 by 24 inches (67 x 61 cm.)

Small Shaman Phurpa 1, Himalayas, Early 20th C.

Vintage Arts: Regional Art: Asian: Indian Subcontinent: Himalayas Pre 1910: item #705865
1-0493

Small "phurpa" (ritual dagger), its triple pointed "blade" surmounted by three deity heads supporting a stylized feline on top. Wood, with fine dark brown patina. A old piece of fabric covers the central (handling) part, to protect the shaman's fingers from the strong power raised by the phurpa. Himalayan Region, early 20th century, probably earlier. Height: 6 1/8" (15,5 cm). The piece is nicely mounted on a custom wood stand. Very good condition.

Himalayan Handwoven Phoenix Wall Hanging

Vintage Arts: Regional Art: Asian: Indian Subcontinent: Himalayas Pre 1980: item #705064
10-63

This wool weaving from Nepal represents a phoenix, wings spread soaring toward the sun. Its craggy surface and muted colors evoke the majestic, mysterious Himalayas. The design, at once ethnic and retro, recalls the late 1960s/early 1970s time period when it was made. The piece is in very good condition. Dimensions: height 30" (76 cm), width 40" (102 cm).

Amulet Tibetan Silver and Gilt copper Gau

Vintage Arts: Regional Art: Asian: Indian Subcontinent: Himalayas Pre 1920: item #688588
23673a

Tibetan gau boxes come in a variety of sizes and shapes, but this is one of the most common form of the larger gaus. It was made to be either placed on an altar or worn on the person. The two lugs on either side allow for a strap so it can be easily tied around the waist or hung over the shoulder.

A gau of this size can hold a wide variety of objects, all of a sacred or protective nature. This could in... Click for details

Tibetan Wooden Print Block

Vintage Arts: Regional Art: Asian: Indian Subcontinent: Himalayas Pre 1950: item #688542
14774c

The Tibetans never used movable type. They went directly from hand-carved wood block pages to computer fonts. This is a an example of how all their books were printed in the pre-computer age. The letters are a mirror image of how they will appear on the page.

There was an elaborate process of producing these print blocks. The wood had to be carefully selected and then put through a long process of aging b... Click for details

Old Devil Mask, India, Himalaya

Vintage Arts: Regional Art: Asian: Indian Subcontinent: Himalayas Pre 1950: item #688504
HP/Ma 138

An interesting and original mask figuring likely a devil or a bad spirit. This kind of mask has been used during dancing shows in Himachal Praddesh to figure the bad spirit which must pushed out of the community to ensure protection villages especially during winter. The masks is in very good condition Estimated age is from early 20 Th. The masks are mounted on iron stands.

Wooden Chapatti stamp from Nepal

Vintage Arts: Regional Art: Asian: Indian Subcontinent: Himalayas Pre 1960: item #688503
11082

The mountain villages of Nepal used to be full of wonderfully carved wooden items no matter how humdrum the function. These examples of a rich material culture are slowly vanishing as fashions change and the older generations die out. Villages are no longer so isolated and slick new imports replace what once had to be produced locally by hand.

This decorative stamp is fashioned from a single block of wood. It ... Click for details

Himalayan Wild Primitive Mask, Nepal,

Vintage Arts: Regional Art: Asian: Indian Subcontinent: Himalayas Pre 1920: item #688491
HP/Ma 136

This is a typical primitive wild mask from Humla remote district figuring a yogi also called holy man as identified by a knot on top of the head . The mouth is roughly pierced trough whereas the mouth is only delimited by two deep carved lines. This mask has been collected from Magar Hindouist tribes. Humla district , very strong wood, few chips but overall very good condition , obvious signs of use and great age likely very early 20 th . Height 12 ¾ inches (33cm), wide 6 inches (15.5 cm). The p... Click for details