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.

Antique Indian bronze figure the Goddess Durga, she is seated with her lion mount depicted very small by her right leg, she wears a tall crown, her forehead is burnished from reverent touch over the years, her attributes which she hold in four hands include a sword and a club, she sits on a square base with an ornate nimbus of makara heads and naga canopy, Southern India, 19th century. Size: 10 1/2" high x 5 3/4" wide x 3 3/4" deep.

This is an exquisite and rare antique 18th-century Mughal Northern Indian Islamic cast brass lidded ewer or aftaba that is a true masterpiece of craftsmanship. The pear-shaped body of the ewer stands on four short feet, giving it a sturdy base and a regal appearance...

This is a fragment from a Tibetan gilt copper mandorla, one of the side pieces that would have surrounded the central statue/figure. It measures 9-1/2" in height and is 3" at its widest point. The design, as the photos will show, is in four registers, with the Buddha uppermost. The workmanship is of excellent quality as, hopefully, the photos will confirm. There is a tiny split in the left edge so that the top panel could become detached if the piece were handled roughly...

Long offering vessel in the shape of a "yoni" (stylised female sex) with a centrally placed pointed "lingam" (stylised male sex). Hammered copper, with a fine reddish-green patina. India, early 19th century. Length: 26 cm. Very good condition. A rather rare object. NOTE: The Yoni is the symbol of the Hindu Goddess Shakti, while the male counterpart is the Hindu God Shiva's Lingam Their union represents the eternal process of creation and regeneration...

Antique Indian hardwood figure carving. Mounted on a custom high-quality iron stand for display. The female figure is in a dancing pose, with elaborate headdress and garb. Mounted on a High grade custom iron stand.

18th Century

Dimensions w/ stand: 18" high x 6 3/4" wide x 4 1/2" deep

Dimensions w/o stand: 16 3/4" high x 5 1/2" wide x 2 3/4" deep

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.

Fine and rare old rattan “tali” basket with a contracted mouth from the Idu Mishmi ethnic group of Arunachal Pradesh, India. In India they are primarily animist but in China where they are known as the Lhoba they have a strong spiritual affiliations with Tibetan Buddhism. Google “Bamboo and Cane Culture of Arunchal Pradesh” and you will get a good description of this regional craft...

Antique Ceylonese, Sinhalese aristocrat knife - dagger Piha Kaetta, Sri Lanka-Ceylon,17th century A.D.

A broad, single-edged steel blade with a fuller along the back edge, both blade faces, the fullers, and the spine are overlaid with ornate goldish color metal foil, finely engraved with scrolling foliage motifs...

Very fine Tibetan Bronze Buddha Vajrasattva on wooden pedestal, 17th. century or older.

The right hand holding a vajra vertical in front of his heart center, the lowered left holding a bell. Seated in dhyana-asana. Powerful body and meek facial expression. Wearing a multi-leaved crown as well as the jewelry and clothes of an enlightened Buddhist Bodhisattva. The bell was separately casted. Bottom covered with consecration plate. Slight signs of age...

Old ritual dagger ("phurpa"), beautifully carved to represent, from top to bottom, a protruding animal head, three deities busts, a stylized "vajra", and finally a stylized "makara" (water dragon) head on the three-blades point. The phurpa is made of wood, with a fine dark-brown patina. Nepal, early 19th century. Height: 9 3/4" (24,8 cm). The piece is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Chips at the top and bottom of the object, otherwise good condition...

Antique Tibetan small bronze votive cup for use on a Buddhist altar to make offerings to various deities. There are 8 auspicious items traditionally offered: water to drink, water to wash, flowers, incense, light (an oil lamp or candle), perfume, celestial food, and music (usually a conch shell). This bronze cup stands on a small round foot and has a deep, rich patina...

Mask of a grotesque character with twisted nose ; accident on the left side, slit on the chin (see pix) ; 26 x 16 cms.
End of 19th - beginning of 20th C, West Nepal, Gurung.

Finely cast small statue of Hindu Goddess Annapurna, sitting cross-legged on an elevated throne, holding the ritual spoon in both hands. Bronze, with reddish and green patina. India, 17th century, maybe earlier. Height: 4.3 cm. Abrasion due to great age, otherwise good condition.

Tibetan Himalayan Monastery Red Polychrome Lacquered Trunk, Ca. 1900, with raised design of flying Dragon within scalloped cartouche on top of the Gesso and cloth backing on wood, borders are decorated low relief Chinese Character on Polychrome Gesso "Long Life", all original work and finish, 20" high, 35" wide 15" deep, wrapped with Brass around corners, hinges and lock compartment in front...

Miniature altar dedicated to Hindu Goddess Annapurna. The goddess is shown sitting cross-legged on a lotus throne, holding her ritual spoon on her lap, and backed by an aureola. Bronze, with traces of its original green patina. India, ca. 17th century. Height: 4.7 cm. Strong abrasion due great age, otherwise very good condition.

From our Indian Subcontinent Collection, a good Kashmiri silver surahi (water flask), 19th century, of compressed globular base with elongated neck and attached stopper secured by linked silver chain, well-decorated with chased vegetal and floral designs typical for Kashmiri silversmithing of this period. Overall a very attractive example with elegant proportions and good presence.

Size and Condition: 9 1/2 inches tall, 5 1/2 inches in diameter at its widest point on base. Excellent co...

Antique Tibetan damaru, double skull drum traditionally for tantric ceremonies and meditation. Made in the joining of a male and a female cranium inside of which is usually inscribed with the corresponding male or female mantra. In this case, the two sides are attached with ornate silver repouse bands of scrolling vines and Buddhist symbols. In the center, a handle is attached to a band of silver that is inlaid with turquoise and coral and fitted with two drum beaters on the end of chords. ...

16/17th century small votive Indian bronze of Shiva lingam altar protected by a small hooded cobra and attended by Nandi bull - the vehicle of Shiva, or sometimes considered to be a form of Shiva himself. It rests in its usual position wearing rich trappings in front of a Shiva lingam altar, and there is a pile of offerings by his raised foot. Nice casting and detailing, great patina with green incrustation. Very good devotional object, wonderful feel of age to the piece. Length 1 13/16 inches. ...

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, ...

Statue of HIndu God Krishna as a playing baby. Bronze, with fine green patina with reddish spots. India, 18th century. Height: 3 3/8" (8,5 cm), length: 3 3/8" (8,5 cm). It seems that the eyes were made of silver pieces affixed to the face, but that they are missing now, leaving a red trace. Very good condition otherwise.

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. The back of the card has Tibetan writing that reads, ཕྱག་རྡོར་གཏུམ་ པོ་ "Phyag rdor gtum...

Beautiful Indian silver repouse bowl decorated with scenes from the life of Shiva in deeply hammered bas relief, 19th century. Weight 201 grams. Size: 11 1/2" wide x 8" high

Early 19th century Sino-Tibetan thangka depicting 6-armed Bhuddist dharmapala Hayagriva easily recognizable by 3 horse heads in his crown. He is considered to be the wrathful form of Avalokiteshvara and thus the archetype of fierce compassion. He is wearing a tiger skin apron and a long necklace of human heads, holding various implements in his hands and trampling on numerous snakes. Beautifully painted with natural mineral pigments on cotton, excellent quality painting - see the horses’ heads...

Late Qing Dynasty (1890s to 1911) Chinese / Tibetan mala - Buddhist rosary consisting of 108 wooden beads and 4 jadeite ones that serve as spacers dividing the prayer beads into groups of 27 each. Dark dense wood, beautiful green jadeite. Traditionally Buddhist rosary of 108 even-sized beads is used for mantra recitation. The thread represents the continuity of the buddhadharma piercing the 108 worldly passions. The mantras are recited to accomplish the four karmas or enlightened activities of p...

Antique Tibetan horse saddle. Made of wood and decorated with red lacquer flowers and scrolling vines on a black lacquer ground. Horse riding on in Tibet is especially popular on the plateau of Western Tibet where the Kampa horsemen have held traditional horse races and festivals for generations. This saddle comes with a custom metal stand.

Age: 19th century

Dimensions: 10" high x 18" long x 14 1/2" wide (17" high on stand)

This is a Tibetan Ritual Celestial Crown also know as a Diadem or Ringga. It is worn by a necromancer or oracle during rituals. The "crown" consists of 5 separate paintings on paper and each painting is backed with thin cardboard for stiffness. The sections are connected with string. When worn, the crown is tied around the head with string. The sections are painted with the five Dhayani, celestial Buddhas, each painted with his traditional color and gesture. Each section is 4 wide by 6.5 h...

The expression of Sakyamuni is beautiful and serene. Clearly carved by a master artist. The image is made of one single piece of precious, dark purplish zitan wood. These type of wood images were made of different parts and assembled ( it can be seen by the holes where the various parts would have been stacked together ). Unfortunately the arms and lower part of the body has been lost but it is still a very charming piece! Fixed on a newer hardwood stand. Tibet, 16–17th cent. H 14,5 ...

Flint and tinder pouch, in the shape of an envelope made of leather with a heavy steel lower edge, and a loop on top to allow suspension from the belt. Lavish silver and brass decoration with three turquoises in the middle. Tibet, 19th century. Length: 5 3/4" (14,7 cm). Obvious signs of age, wear and use, otherwise very good condition. A rather scarce object nowadays.

Indian Wood Stele of Indra and Consort seated in 'royal ease' on lotus throne under the crest of the flaming Kirtimukha lion-torso figure with arms outstretched. Wondrously carved, standing attendants at each side. Worn with devotional usage. Traces of old pigment. Pair of recumbent elephants and deity at base.

Handley Collection, purchased Sotheby's March 1988

circa 1700s Size: 23"H x 13" W x 5" D

Antique cast bronze bottle-shaped wine vessel from north India 16th/17th century. The bulbous body is sitting on a trumpet footing with incised rings; the tapering neck is decorated with stylized petal lappets design and horizontal ribs.

This type of vessel was used for rice wine that it was served during weddings and other profane or religious ceremonies.

MEASUREMENTS: Height: 24 cm (10 1/8 in.) - Diameter: 13.5 cm (5 1/4 in.).

CONDITION: Showing the age and usage, cracks on th...

A beautifully carved and polychromed alabaster figure of a standing female divinity, wearing a dark green sari scattered with a gilt floral pattern, both hands held out towards the front, youthful face with large eyes and simple gilt diadem encircling her black-painted hair, Indian, 19th century. Size: 31" high x 13 1/2" wide x 7 1/2" deep.

Tibetan altar table made of heavy wood, painted with a three faced and six armed Boddhisattva, the sides decorated with skulls and vajras. Condition: some traces of usage, some losses to paint. Please look at pictures carefully, they make part of the condition report. Dimension: 27.8 cm x 28.5 cm x 6.3 cm, weight: 1005 g.

Antique figure of Buddha in sitting position playing a musical instrument, copper bottom with impressed marking. Dimension: The figure has a height of 4 5/8 inches, in very good condition.

This is an exquisite antique cosmetic jar that dates back to the 19th century and originates from the Bengali region of India. The jar is designed in the shape of a barrel, with a rounded body and three plain legs to support the bowl.

The jar is made of bronze, a material commonly used in ancient Indian art and craftsmanship. The jar's cover is adorned with a beautifully crafted peacock finial that adds an extra touch of elegance to the piece. This antique cosmetic jar is not only a stunn...

Antique Mandalay Burmese style bronze gilt with silver buddha on a lotus base. The Buddha with earlobes touching shoulders extends his right arm out while the left arm holds his robe aside. The base is rounded. Obtained in Katmandu in the 1960s, made in the 19th century. It measures 6.75" toll 3" in diameter at base.