A Miniature Tsakli of Vajrabhairava.
Painted on cotton.
Buriatia 19thC.
Size; 12.5 x 9.5 cm.
Condition; very light wear.
Tsakli are miniature paintings which are used in various Buddhist rituals.
Provenance; this Tsakli was included in the exhibition 'Art of Buriatia, Buddhist Icons from Southern Siberia' held at Spink in December 1996, No 32.
Buriatia lies predominately to the east of Lake Baikal in Southern Siberia and above Mongolia.
The traditional religion was Shaman...
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.
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...
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
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...
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 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"...
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...
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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...
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 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 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...
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...
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...
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...
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 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.
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.
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...
18th century Indian bronze votive sculpture of Ganesha seated on a round base, cast in the State of Orissa. Unusual image - he is not holding his usual implements, but rather has 3 of his hands in Anger Fist mudra and one hand in Lotus Fist mudra. 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. Bold heavy casting with good sense of volu...
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.
Late 18th to early 19th century Indian bronze votive sculpture of Ganesha sitting on Mooshika - a bandicoot rat that serves as Ganesha’s vehicle. 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 through any obstacles, ...
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 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...
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...
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.
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. He is flanked on either side by 34 arms, each hol...