This is a Nepalese illuminated manuscript, dating to circa the 18/19th century. Done in the customary "accordion" format, the book features a large multi-armed Goddess (probably Durga or Kali), with multiple attendant figures. The illuminated area measures 8-1/2" X 11-1/2" and occupies three panels of the manuscript. The reverse side consists of handwritten text (Devanagari? Sanskrit?), the whole on thickened yellow paper...

A group of five illustrated manuscript leaves on thickened paper illustrating various "avatars" of Vishnu and other, related figures. Each leaf measures, approximately, 9" X 4". A bit rough around the edges, as shown in the photos. Still, a rare grouping.

This well-cast bronze depicts the baby Krishna as "the butterball thief," referencing an episode from his childhood. The piece is solid-cast and measures some 3" in length and 3-1/2" in height. Well cast with excellent details, especially the face and jewelry. Please see the photos.

This sculpture includes an inscription on the reverse and is dated to "1427 Samvat," a date that places the sculpture in the 15th century. The piece has sustained a loss to the "edging" along the top (viewer's) right,as well as a loss adjacent to the "canopy," visible in the photograph. The casting quality is, in my opinion, outstanding,completely consistent with the early Jain classical style of sculpture. The piece has a beautiful, warm brown patina. It measures 6-1/4" in height.

This woven Tibetan container would have been used to hold a pair of wooden tea bowls...there is an interior separator (removable) which allows for the separation of tea bowls. Hand made using plant materials (hemp) and rattan with leather closures Bowls would have been packed into container such as this when traveling... and from the condition of this one...it has traveled many times. The container is 6 inches diameter at the top and 4 inches high...well aged fair condition...

Antique Tibetan Dzi bead, agate with 8 eyes. The mystical Dzi beads are implements of ancient Tibetan and other Asian cultures for several hundreds of thousands of years. Dzi beads are believed to hold magical properties bringing prosperity and protection to whomever wore these beads.
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...

Fine Tibetan "damaru" (ritual drum), made of silver and leather. The silver part is in the form of two "kapala shaped" parts, separated by a central silver belt, decorated with several turquoise and coral inserts, to which the handle is attached. This silver part is lavishly decorated with an embossed relief design representing foliage and Buddhist symbols. The leather part is painted in green. Two cotton cords, ending in two small balls are also attached to the drum to strike it...

A large, elaborate and very early carved bone plaque from a ritual shaman's dance apron. The central figure is a dakini, surmounted by one of the five tathagata Buddhas. This very early and rare carving measures 5-1/4" in height and is in outstanding condition, with no repair or recarving. Please refer to the photographs as they are part of the description. Feel free to request additional photographs or to ask any questions about this item.

This is a large fragment from a pink sandstone statue of Bhairava, a wrathful avatar of Shiva. The piece is in exceptional condition as a fragment with little or no wear. The darkened area on the tip of the nose is where worshipers have been touching the statue over the centuries, leaving a "sweat" residue. Very finely carved and, as noted, in excellent condition. The piece measures just over 4 inches in height. Mounted on a large clear plastic base (included)...

A rectangular repoussé box, decorated with peony, floral sprays and Buddhist symbols. The sides decorated with meanders, the back with floral motives and a ‘Shou’ character, symbolizing longevity. Both sides of the box have gilded details. Dimensions: 10 x 8,5 x 4,5 cm. Weight: 242 g. The box is in very good condition and has normal age wear. Date: 19th to early 20th century.

Elaborate mask of Citipati, made of embossed, gilt and painted, bronze. Partly encrusted reddish-green patina. Tibet, 18th century. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Height (without stand): 26 cm. Very good condition. A very rare piece.

A very large and outstanding fragmentary bust of Vishnu, dating to circa the 5th-6th century AD. The statue measures a shade over 6-1/2" in height and is in outstanding, original condition as a fragment. Attached to a custom made base. A related example dating to the same period is on exhibit in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and is included in this listing for comparison (the last photograph).

Hand painted miniature showing Persian hunting scene. 3 mounted and 2 observers in a rocky landscape. Marble paper borders. 27.5 x 20.5 cm overall. Undated, estimated to be mid to late 19th century. Can be viewed in central London and shipped worldwide.

Finely cast statue of bodhisattva Shadakshari Lokeshvara, sitting on a double lotus throne, wearing diadem and formal attire with jewels, with his four arms, two in front in praying posture, the other two on the sides with left hand holding a lotus and right hand holding a necklace. Copper, with nice age patina. Tibet, early 19th century. Height: 8.7 cm. Very good condition.

Altar dedicated to Hanuman, the Hindu semi-god, carved in openwork relief to represent Hanuman standing with a martial attitude, carrying a club in his left hand and an uprooted tree in his right hand, and trampling a supine figure, probably a demon. Marble, with traces of red pigments. India, 18th century. Height: 13.7 cm. Abrasion due to age, otherwise very good condition.

Group of 3 Indian 19th century Company School paintings on paper in bamboo style frames under glass. can be viewed in central London and shipped worldwide. Image size, largest 19x15cm.

Rare purse , made of leather, brass and silver, with lotus, sea creatures and makala design. Inlaid with coral. Dimensions: the purse alone 13x9,5 cm, including leather strap and sash 45 cm. Condition: very good age wear and patina, one of the sea creatures is missing its tail.

Circular shaped seal, with a central design representing a standing horse surrounded by geometric motives. Small loop at its back. Bronze, with partly encrusted reddish green patina. Indus Valley Civilisation, Bronze Age. Diameter: 2.9 cm. Very good condition.

Finely cast five-point vajra (or dorje), made of bronze, with nice dark green patina. Tibet, early 19th century. Length: 12.4 cm. Very good condition.

Indian miniature painting. Hyderabad 19th cent. Gouache on card. 24x15cm

Indian miniature painting. Hyderabad 19th century. Gouache on card. 22x15 cm.

Indian miniature painting. Hyderabad 19th century. Gouache on card. 22x15cm. Text on reverse.

This is woodblock is carved on both sides so that it was used to print 2 different pages of a Tibetan Sutra book. ...Age and use are obvious and there are a few nicks and bruises but no serious loss... A true ethnographic relic measures 14 inches x 3 inches x 7/8th inch...

CONTINUATION OF PAGE 1. PRICE OF $3500 IS FOR COMPLETE MANUSCRIPT

Complete Nepalese manuscript. Estimated to be late 18th century or earlier. 78 sides. 10 full page illustrations, one double page illustration. Text in red and black ink, charts and diagrams, traces of ritual use. 26.5 cm x 9.5 cm. Can be viewed in central London and shipped worldwide. SEE PAGE 2/2 FOR REST OF IMAGES

Intricately decorated snuff bottle of baluster shape, with a detailed decoration in relief representing, from top to bottom, a geometric design around the neck, a monster on both sides holding a lozenge frame containing a lapis lazuli on one side and a coral on the other side, the foot representing a stylised lotus. The stopper is also made of silver with a lapis lazuli on its top, and a silver spoon. A small silver chain links the stopper to the body of the bottle...

Snuff bottle of flat circular form, the body itself made of ivory. The bottle has a silver neck with an intricate decoration affixing it to the body. It also has an opening at its center with round silver relief decor mount, the lid ending in a coral top. On one side, another relief decoration representing a four sided dorje with a loop for attachment to a belt. Tibet, 19th century. Diameter: 5 cm. Stopper and spoon missing, otherwise very good condition. Provenance: Old French collection...

One prominent Buddhist story tells of Avalokiteshvara vowing never to rest until he had freed all sentient beings from Samsara. Despite strenuous effort, he realizes that still many unhappy beings were yet to be saved. After struggling to comprehend the needs of so many, his head splits into 11 pieces. Amitabha, seeing his plight, gives him 11 heads with which to hear the cries of the suffering...

Architectural element --- probably the end of a beam --- carved in the shape of a stylized lion. Wood, with fine dark brown patina. Nepal, 18th century, maybe earlier. Length: 22 cm. Height: 10.5 cm. The back of the element was partly attacked by insects, but there is no more danger. The element is nicely counted on a custom stand. Good condition.

Miniature statue of Buddha Gautama, in formal attire, wearing diadem, a lotus flower beside each shoulder, his hands in "dharmacakra mudra", sitting cross-legged on a lotus throne. Bronze, with fine reddish-green patina. Tibet, 17th century, maybe earlier. Height: 4.9 cm. Erosion due to great age, otherwise very good condition...

Head of Citipati, made of embossed bronze with gilding on the front and red painting to enhance the eyes. Fine green patina in the recesses and on the back. The head is pierced on its top and lower side to allow not to be worn on a necklace that was used by a Tibetan lama or oracle particularly during the Cham ceremonies and dances. Tibet, early 19th century. Height: 7.5 cm. Very good condition.

Gilt iron plate, of rounded triangular shape, finely cast in openwork, to represent a dragon in relief in clouds. Four coral inlays enhance the beauty of the plate. This plate is likely to have been part of a saddle decoration. Tibet, 18th century. The plate is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Length: 15.6 cm. Height: around 9 cm. Oxydation at the back due to age, otherwise very good condition.

Small statue of Buddha depicting an important stage of his life when, still as Siddhartha, he sat meditating for a long time almost without eating and became emaciated and close to death, before realizing that the way to seek the Truth was not to torture oneself. Siddhartha, with an aureola at the back of his head, sits on a semi-circular throne with a vajra in relief on its front. Gilt copper, with a fine patina. Tibet or China, 19th century, maybe earlier. Height: 8.5 cm. Gilding partly missi...

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. Normally holy water is poured from the Yoni...

Very small and finely cast statue, with great details, of Adubuddha Vajrasattva, his eyes closed in meditation, wearing diadem, jewelry and dhoti, sitting cross-legged on a lotus throne, his right hand holding the vajra and his left the ghanta. Bronze, with fine dark green patina. Tibet, 19th century. Height: 4.6 cm. Very good condition.

H. 11,6 cm. Very nice age wear and a soft patina with traces of puja worship. Provenance: Belgian private collection.