A lovely detailed brass figure of Ganesha. South-Indian, perhaps Tamil Nadu, 17th.-18th. century.

He is standing on a round lotus base on stout legs and with a high headdress, 4 arms with attributes, pot belly and pecular crescentic ears.

Size: 20 cm. tall. and 14 cm. wide, weiging ca. 950 grams.

Ex. Danish Private Collection.

An attractive Indian or Nepalese Hindu Godess, ca. 18th. century.

She is mounted on a round Lotus base and doing a beautiful pose turning to the extreme left with her upper body. Clad in a thin veil around her hips and othervise naked but for jevellery and crown. With large youthful breast with erotic charm and appeal.

Lovely chestnut / mahogany patina with preserved residues of pigment in the devices.

Size: 14,4 cm.

Ex...

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 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...

Antique Indian gilt copper repouse plaque depicting many scenes from the life of Buddha. Starting just before his birth (upper left hand side) with the white elephant that descends from heaven with the buddha and enters Maya between her ribs as she sleeps. Moving to the upper left corner, we see the miraculous birth of Maya's fully formed baby out of her side. She is depicted holding onto a tree branch during birth like a yakshi tree spirit...

An assemblage of a figural Baluchari silk sari end panel fragment, showing two nobles on a strange vehicle, dating around 1800. Edged with a yellow Kashmiri or Persian wool shawl fragment, embroidered with boteh pattern. Once framed and possibly sold as souvenir. Mounted on cardboard. Condition: faded, some losses and stains. Dimension total: 25.4 x 20.2 cm.

An assemblage of a figural Baluchari silk sari end panel fragment, showing five European men riding on double-deck railway coach, dating around 1800. Edged with a Kashmiri wool shawl fragment and edged with linen or cotton. Once framed and possibly sold as souvenir. Mounted on cardboard. Condition: faded, a stain. Dimension total: 30.8 x 25.5 cm.

An assemblage of a figural Baluchari silk sari end panel fragment, showing three European men riding on a railway coach, dating around 1800. Edged with a Kashmiri wool shawl fragment. Once framed and possibly sold as souvenir. Mounted on cardboard. Condition: faded and few tiny stains, border with few small losses. Dimension total: 30.6 x 25.3 cm.

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...

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...

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.

Antique Indo-Persian miniature painting depicting a hunting scene. A party of four men with swords on horses gives chase to a herd of deer. In the background, another man with a spear rides an elephant. Intricate details of rocks and flowers. Painted in gauche colors with sky of gold. Framed.

Age: circa 1800-1850

Dimensions: Total size with frame 18 3/4" high x 18 3/4" wide. Art only 9 1/4" high x 4 1/2" wide

Antique Indo-Persian miniature painting depicting a hunting scene. A party of three men on horses gives chase to a herd of deer while two others stand by with spears. In the background a river wends it's way through hills covered in low trees and flowers. Painted in gauche colors. Framed.

Age: circa 1800-1850

Dimensions: Total size with frame 13 1/8" high x 10 3/8" wide. Art only 7 1/2" high x 4 1/2" wide

Four wonderfully executed oval Indian paintings of Mughal rulers in gouache and gold on paper. Framed behind glass in a gilt wooden frame, in France in the 19th century. The passe-partout with handwritten titles as: "Shah Ichan" (Jahan?), "Shah Alum" (Alam), "Azime Shah" and "Miran Shah". Reverses with the label of the framer. Condition: the frames with traces of usage and age and small losses, one frame damaged. Dimension: portraits: c. 9.5 x 7.5 cm, frames: 24 x 20 cm.

Impressive Blackstone stele of Surya the Sungod, Pala period, 10th.-11th. cent. AD.

A carving in grey-black stone depicting Surya holding lotuses, riding a chariot drawn by seven horses, each depicting a day of the week and named after the seven meters of Sanskrit prosody, Gayatri, Brihati, Ushnih, Jagati, Trishtubha, Anushtubha and Pankti...

Antique Indian painting of two men riding on the back of a camel. Beautiful detail work in their garments and hair. The quick gait of the camel is conveyed in it's wide steps and the backward motion of the tassels and drapery. Painted in gouache pigments on paper. Framed.

Age: 18th/ 19th century

Dimensions: Art: 9 3/8" high x 9 5/8" wide. Frame: 18 3/8" high x 18 3/8" wide.

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

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

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...

A fine pair of Kashmir lidded jars or vases. The copper base was first engraved with special tools to create the design in relief, the grooves were later filled with glass and then embellished with additional engraving and wonderful shiny gilding. This technique is called in India "meena" or "meenakari" and was first applied by the Mughal. Condition: fine, only one rim with a small dent and minor wear to gilding. Dimension: c. 18 cm high, diameter: c. 12.5 cm, total weight:

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...

A large Kashmir lidded presentation cup with handles in serpent form. Allover with foliage design. Condition: fine, traces of usage, some wear to tinning. Dimension: c. 36.5 cm high, handle to handle: c. 29.5 cm, weight: 2 kg.

Late 19th to early 20th century Indian bronze votive sculpture of Ganesha sitting on Mooshika - a bandicoot rat that serves as Ganesha’s vehicle - on rectangular base. Ganesha is the remover of obstacles, and thus is invoked before any new undertaking such as marriage or new business. He bestows good luck on his worshippers, and is prayed to in some forms of Tantric worship. With Ganesha being a destroyer of obstacles and the deity of wealth, Mooshika the rat is perfect for the job: he gnaws t...

18th century Indian bronze votive sculpture of Radha beautifully flexing her body, her arms wide spread, a betel nut in her right hand, and her hair arranged in a bun, cast in the State of Orissa. Radha is a Hindu goddess and a chief consort of the god Krishna and is worshiped as the goddess of love, tenderness, compassion and devotion. She is the avatar of Lakshmi and is also described as the chief of gopis (milkmaids), who are entranced by Krishna playing flute. Krishna’s flute is the call o...

Early 19th century Indian bronze votive sculpture of Radha beautifully flexing her body, her arms wide spread and hair arranged in a bun. Radha is a Hindu goddess and a chief consort of the god Krishna and is worshiped as the goddess of love, tenderness, compassion and devotion. She is the avatar of Lakshmi and is also described as the chief of gopis (milkmaids), who are entranced by Krishna playing flute. Krishna’s flute is the call of the divine and Radha's passionate response to this call i...

18th century Indian bronze votive sculpture of dancing Krishna playing a flute, cast in the State of Orissa. This avatar of Vishnu playing flute for gopis is known as Krishna Venugopala (as always in this image, flute was cast separately, and is missing). Powerful casting, wonderful face, beautiful patina, very pleasant feel of age to the sculpture. Height 6 1/2 inches.

Interesting and beautiful large procession lance, Indian or South East Asian, ca. 17th.18th. century.

The lance very elaborate with a huge leaf-shaped blade, decorated with a zig-zag pattern, and a central high relief midrib. The socket edged. A very high end lance, solidly made of brassy bronze like the South Indian sculptures. Could also be african / Benin but we don't think so since the casting is different and the design does not look african. A puzzling piece and we welcome any...

Small 18th century Indian bronze shrine in a form of a courtyard with Shiva, his wife Parvati and Naga (hooded cobra) between them, and facing them their elephant-headed son Ganesha, Nandi the bull of Shiva, another Naga (hooded cobra) and Shiva lingam. Very nice simple devotional sculpture with earnest casting and detailing, good patina from being touched during worship, a lot of compressed dust, very pleasant feel of age. Length 1 3/16 inches.

18th century Indian bronze votive sculpture of Nandi - the vehicle of Shiva, or sometimes considered to be a form of Shiva himself. It rests wearing rich trappings in front of Shiva lingam. Very nice casting, wonderful feel of age produced by devotional wear and compressed sandalwood paste used during worship. Very good devotional object, pleasant to hold. Length 2 inches.

18th century Indian bronze votive sculpture of Ganesha sitting on an elevated base and holding his usual attributes in his 4 hands. There is a protective naga (cobra) wrapped around his waist. Ganesha is the remover of obstacles, and thus is invoked before any new undertaking such as marriage or new business. He bestows good luck on his worshippers, and is prayed to in some forms of Tantric worship. Very nice casting and detailing, beautiful warm patina, wonderful feel of age produced by devotio...

18th century votive Indian bronze sculpture depicting the mother goddess Durga slaying the buffalo demon Mahishasura, with her right foot resting on the back of her vehicle - a roaring lion. Durga is the most powerful female deity in the Hindu pantheon. She has a spear in one front hand, and is grabbing the hair of the demon with the other. In her back hands Durga holds various weapons symbolic of the attributes of all the gods given to her to slay the demon. Wonderful bronze with powerful casti...

18th century Indian bronze votive sculpture of Ganesha sitting on a rectangular throne, with his vahana (vehicle) - a bandicoot rat - in his lap, and holding his usual attributes in his 4 hands. There is a protective naga (cobra) above his head. Ganesha is the remover of obstacles, and thus is invoked before any new undertaking such as marriage or new business. He bestows good luck on his worshippers, and is prayed to in some forms of Tantric worship. With Ganesha being a destroyer of obstacles ...

18th century votive Indian bronze sculpture depicting the mother goddess Durga standing on the back of her vehicle - a roaring lion - and slaying the buffalo demon Mahishasura. Durga is the most powerful female deity in the Hindu pantheon. She is grabbing the hair of the demon with one hand while holding in her back hands various weapons symbolic of the attributes of all the gods given to her to slay the demon. Wonderful bronze with powerful casting and detailing, beautiful patina and wear, stro...

18th century Indian bronze votive sculpture of Ganesha sitting on a rectangular throne with probhavali at his back, his vahana (vehicle) - a bandicoot rat - by his left foot, and holding his usual attributes in his 4 hands. This Ganesha has his trunk turned to the left, and it is strongly advisable for worshippers to keep left sided Ganesha statue at home. They are believed to be representing Ida Nadi (lunar energy) with its moonlike nature and feminine energy with a cooling effect. Ganesha is t...

18th century Indian bronze votive sculpture of dancing Krishna playing a flute, cast in the State of Orissa. This avatar of Vishnu playing flute for gopis is known as Krishna Venugopala (as always in this image, flute was cast separately, and is missing). Excellent casting and detailing (see the loose ends of his tied loincloth), wonderful face, beautiful patina, very pleasant feel of age to the sculpture. Height 5 1/4 inches.

18th century Indian bronze votive sculpture of dancing Krishna playing a flute, cast in the State of Orissa. This avatar of Vishnu playing flute for gopis is known as Krishna Venugopala (as always in this image, flute was cast separately, and is missing). Excellent casting and detailing (see his eyes inlaid with silver), wonderful face, beautiful patina, very pleasant feel of age to the sculpture. Height 5 7/8 inches.

18th century Indian bronze votive sculpture of Radha beautifully flexing her body, her arms wide spread, a betel nut in her right hand, cast in the State of Orissa. Radha is a Hindu goddess and a chief consort of the god Krishna and is worshiped as the goddess of love, tenderness, compassion and devotion. She is the avatar of Lakshmi and is also described as the chief of gopis (milkmaids), who are entranced by Krishna playing flute. Krishna’s flute is the call of the divine and Radha's passion...

A silver box with hinged lid, standing on four ball feet the base with Arabic inscription. An oblong silver tray on four feet and a fine small dish. Condition: some traces of usage, box not closing completely. Dimension: box: c. 12.6 x 6.9 x 4.4 cm, weight: 211 g, oblong tray: c. 16.5 x 11.5 x 1.2 cm, weight: 148 g, dish: 11 x 0.7 cm, weight: 44 g.

Child Jesus as a Good Shepherd ivory statuette on a pedestal. He is naked and his face is gently leaned. His hairs are sculpted in fine strand of hair shaping curls. His almond eyes and his fixed look suggest a mystic and pensive attitude. The Christ child is seated, he is in a deeply meditation. In accordance with the classic representation of Salvator Mundi (“Savior of the World”) he holds a globe in his hands and lean on his visage his other hand, index finger and his middle finger...

An elegant double-bell shaped Indian spitoon made of zinc alloy, decorated with poppy motifs, inlaid in silver. Condition: few inlay losses (see first and photo No. 11 and 12). Dimension: c. 15.3 cm high, diameter: c. 12.1 cm, weight: 1020 g.

An exceptionally large and heavy bronze figure of Radha, Wife of Krishna, VAishnava Devotional og Bhakti traditions of Hinduism, 16th.-17th. century AD.

Very attractive figure of solid bronze with no core, Radha is in a standing posture with her arms, protruding round breasts, semi-nude addorned with jevellery.

Height 27 cm. excl. the wooden base. The weight is more than 3 kilograms!

Ex. Danish Auction house, estimated at $1000-$1300.

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.

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.

Head of a deity, probably one of the Hindu deities. However, the shape of the top of the head and the presence of a usnisa above the forehead may suggest that this is an early representation of the head of Buddha. The head is made of wood, with a beautiful dark brown crusty patina. India, 15th/16th century. Height: 21 cm. Very good condition despite a few age cracks.

A nice pair of large antique wooden textile stamps, dating to 15th.-17th cent AD.

Hand carved wood stamps with geometrical and floral motifs for coloring textiles.

Size: 18,5 & 9 cm. - c. 7,5 & 3,5 inches.

Condition: Choice & intact comdition. Fine old patinas.

Ex. German Private collection.

A deeply carved wooden lintel, dating to circa the mid-19th century, possibly earlier. The carving is detailed and in excellent condition. Chief among the figures is "Kamadhenu," a winged female deity with the body of a cow and the head of a human. The piece measures 30" in length (80cm) and is 9" in height (22cm).

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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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 ...

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 mask of Bhairava carved of rock crystal with skulls and brows in gilt copper repousse. Bhairava, also known as "The Terrifying One" gained his reputation for having a wild and unpredictable nature when he cut off one of the five heads of the god, Brahma. Bhairava was generated out of the god Shiva when he became angry while listening to the vain boastings of Brahma. Bhairava, the furious aspect of Shiva is worshipped by Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. He is also considered the ...

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

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. Bhut...

Antique Indian bronze figure of Krishna. Standing in a relaxed pose with his flute in hand. He is bejeweled and wears a pleated dhoti. Long strands of hair fall to his shoulders. Behind his tall headdress is a sun disk. Krishna and his consort, Radha together represent the ideal relationship of love between god and soul. Beautiful original patina and hand rubbed finish.

Age: Early to mid 19th century

Dimensions: 11 7/8" high x 4" wide x 4" deep.

Strand of ancient Afghani glass beads, circa Roman era. These are original beads (not re-carved bangles or glass vessel fragments). Some are decorated with gold leaf, others exhibit dichroism. Traces of calcification. A total of 27 beads (note 3 are broken). Total length: 50cm/19.8cm- note last enlargement for scale- 17 grams. Free shipping.

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

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 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. This t...

An attractive brass or white bronze alter / shrine of Virabhadra (Shiva with attendants), Western India, difficult to date, but we think it's at least 18th.-19th. century, but likely somewhat older.

Virabhadra, or Veerabhadra, is a fierce aspect of Shiva, who manifested following an unforgiveable insult made to Shiva’s wife, Sati, by her father, Prajapati Daksh. The central figure in the shrine is Virabhadra, a hero-warrior. He is flanked by Prajapati Daksh with his goat’s head, ...

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

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. It's seated on a modern wooden base as usual with this type.