Catalog: Antiques (1216)

19th century small Indian bronze votive sculpture of monkey god Hanuman with his hands in praying gesture in front of him, and his tail forming a loop behind him. Hanuman personifies ingenuity and faithfulness - his strength and courage helped Rama to defeat Ravana. Cast in Maharashtra, wonderful casting (see his body in strong S-shaped atibhanga flexion at the waist) and detailing, great patina. Height 2.5 inches.

Unusually small 19th century Indian bronze votive sculpture of Bhudevi with bare breasts and pink lotus (nilotpala) in her right hand. Bhudevi is the consort of Vishnu and personifies the earth. Excellent casting and detailing, modeled with grace and beauty, wonderful brown patina, in excellent condition for a votive piece. Height 1.65 inches.

19th century very small Indian bronze votive sculpture of seated Ganesha with his trunk to its left, and holding the elephant goad and battle-ax (parasu) in his rear hands, and sweetmeats in both front hands. Ganesha is the remover of obstacles, and thus is invoked before any new undertaking. He bestows good luck on his worshippers, and is invoked in marriage ceremonies and in some forms of Tantric worship...

19th century very small Indian bronze votive sculpture of Ganesha perched on high base, cast in the state of Maharashtra. Ganesha is the remover of obstacles, and thus is invoked before any new undertaking. He bestows good luck on his worshippers, and is invoked in marriage ceremonies and in some forms of Tantric worship. Nice casting, overall in great condition for a votive piece. Wonderful feel of age produced by obvious signs of wear. Height 1.66 inches.

Unusual 19th century Japanese carved wooden head of rakan - one of the 16 (sometimes the number is given as 18) initial disciples of the historical Buddha.. Was carved and, judging by patina, most probably used, as the top of a votive statue. Wonderfully captured facial expression, beautiful patina. The bottom of the post is branded with the mark of the workshop where the piece was carved. Height 3.71 inches.

Unusual 19th century Japanese carved wooden head of a scholar. Was carved and, judging by patina, most probably used, as the top of a votive statue. Wonderfully captured facial expression, beautiful patina, inscribed in ink on the back of the post. The bottom of the post is branded with the mark of the workshop where the piece was carved. Height 3.64 inches.

Unusual 19th century Japanese carved wooden head of a warrior blind in one eye. Was carved and, judging by patina, most probably used, as the top of a votive statue. Wonderfully captured facial expression, beautiful patina, inscribed in ink on the bottom, inscription can be translated as GREAT SAMURAI MARUMITSU. Height 2.76 inches.

Unusual 19th century Japanese carved wooden head of a monk. Was carved and, judging by patina, most probably used, as the top of a votive statue. Wonderfully captured facial expression, old gesso painted eyes, beautiful patina, inscribed in ink on the back of the post. Height 2.6 inches.

Unusual 19th century Japanese carved wooden head of a courtier in a tall hat. Was carved and, judging by patina, most probably used, as the top of a votive statue. Wonderfully captured facial expression, beautiful patina. Height 4.6 inches.

Unusual 19th century small Japanese carved wooden head of a rakan - one of the 16 (sometimes the number is given as 18) initial disciples of the historical Buddha. Was carved and, judging by patina, most probably used, as the top of a votive statue. Wonderfully captured sorrowful facial expression, old loss to the nose, beautiful patina. Lengthy inscription in ink on the base post. Height 2.2 inches.

19th century Chinese scholar’s burl wood belt buckle with a dragon head finial looking at her cub crawling over her belly. Could have been used as a brush rest. Wonderful quality carving, beautiful rhythm to the movement of the cub’s body. Excellent quality burl wood with subtle play of shades of brown, great wear and patina, very pleasant feel of age. Excellent object for a scholar’s desk. Length 4.24 inches.

Unusual late 19th century Chinese export cufflinks, their fronts are turtle shell with silver Chinese character for HAPPINESS, and the backs are silver in a shape of bamboo stems. Very well made, in excellent condition. Length 0.87 inches, total weight 4.7 grams.

18th century Japanese sword iron tsuba made in a shape of two confronting SHU - Japanese flute instruments for use in Shinto ceremony and consisting of bamboo reeds forming a circular wind chamber. The lower parts of the flutes are inlaid with pine designs in gold. Very clever design in Japanese taste, wonderful quality inlay, some rusting as can be seen in photos, great feel of age. Height 2.85 inches (72.4 mm).

19th century Japanese mixed metal obidome (sash ornament) in a form of an egret and a crow resting on a fisherman’s boat. Obidome is worn on an obi cord that holds the obi sash together, it is the only type of jewelry worn by Japanese women on formal occasions, and could serve as netsuke as well. Excellent design, superb quality work, wonderful quality patinas and gilding, some wear as to be expected...

Taisho period (1920s) Japanese pottery Bizen ware chaire (tea caddy for storing powdered green tea used in tea ceremony) with tapering body. Wonderful free potting, excellent play of colors on the surface, beautiful patina, very nice sandy particles in clay, impressed mark of the potter on the bottom. Later resin lid lined with silvery leaf paper on the inside. Comes with very well made shifuku (silk brocade storage bag). Great piece in excellent condition. Height with cover 3 inches.

Taisho period (1920s) wood kogo (box for incense during tea ceremony), its top decorated in lacquer with uprooted flower with leaves and roots. Elegant object in Japanese taste, the body is made out of kiri (Paulownia tree) wood, perfect lacquer work, two parts fit perfectly, beautiful surfaces, in excellent condition. Diameter 1.9 inches.

Late 19th century ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) made out of a section of a spotted bamboo including the node. Elegant clever design, beautiful patina. Height 0.66 inches.

19th century staghorn ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) in a shape of a die with dots highlighted in black ink. Nice quality work, beautiful warm patina, some wear. Cube side 0.42 inches.