Collection of three vintage/antique cloth printing blocks from Tamil Nadu, carved from hard wood (probably Jackwood) all in excellent condition, acquired in India 30 years ago. Very decorative- may be hung on as a wall art ensemble. Large one: H: 26.3/10.4in x W: 16.4 cm/6.4in, round one D: 20.6 cm/10.2in and, small one H: 17.5/6.9in x W 8.3cm/3.2in.
Old tribal necklace, made of old red and yellow glass beads and small bronze bells, with a bronze ornament in the shape of three heads to indicate head-taking status. North East India, Naga ethnic group. Length: around 37 cm. Very good condition. Provenance: 1) old European collection, 2) auction sale.
Quirky image of Ganesh accompanied by four rats as devotees and musicians. This is from the last half of the 20th century- possibly a tribal image. For the most part most of the iconography and i.e., accoutrements, mudras and association of rats accompanying him are correct. I acquired this from an estate of long term Hong Kong resident, other than that I don’t have any other information other than this a very cool...
Late 19th - early 20th century Tibetan mala - Buddhist rosary consisting of 108 faceted Peking glass beads and 4 jadeite ones that serve as spacers dividing the prayer beads into groups of 27 each. 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...
Antique 18th-19th century Indian copper alloy figurine amulet depicting Four Armed Hindu Deity Vishnu standing on domed square base, his two upper arms holding the chakra and conch with his right hand raised in abhaya mudra.
Height: 6.5 cm (2.56 inches).
CONDITION: in good condition considering its age worn out and shiny on the exposed areas from centuries of touching by worshipers.
Lord Vishnu is considered as the chief god in Hindu religion and Indian mythology...
Large antique Indian bronze jewelry mold die, stamp, seal, of very rare concave form incised with very fine intricate motives. 18th-19th century India.
CONDITION: In very good condition with a lovely old patina and sign of usage.
DIMENSIONS: 11 cm x 9 cm (4.33 inches x 3 .54 inches).
WEIGHT: 283 grams.
Antique Nepali Sarangi Musical String Instrument with script and sublimely rendered human and animal figures and representations of modes of transportation, from the published and renowned collection of Sam Hilu, a prominent author and adviser on traditional Asian art, 27 x 8.75 inches, 68.5 x 22 cm.
Strap made of a piece of thick leather, and cast silver and brass ornaments with turquoise.
Beautiful typical Sino-Tibetan craftsmanship including the face and hands of Kirtimukha ("face of glory").
This kind of strap was mainly used to attach a big knife.
This belt strap has obviously been repaired and remade (see pix). The turquoise have been replaced by an other old one; the silver and brass pieces are at least 19th C...
Exquisite antique silver necklace, circa 19th century. Each tiny bead is hand folded into a geometrical shape, some of them still have traces of gold wash I doubt if this kind of craftsmanship can be done today. The hexagonal pendant opens up into a “secret” lime box, and the clam shell bead is actually a bell. Included is an ancient excavated garnet bead. Total Length: 87cm/34.3in. Small bead diameters are: 1mm-2mm/.04in-.08in. Total weight 60 grams. Free shipping.
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...
Ritual dagger ("phurpa") formerly used by a shaman during ceremonies. The phurpa is made of wood, and is decorated in relief from top to bottom with three deities heads surmounted by a point, above geometric designs of chevrons and knots, themselves on top of the three blades decorated with snake design in relief. Nice dark-brown glossy patina. Several textile knots are affixed on the handle to "protect" the shaman's fingers from the magic strength of the phurpa. Nepal, 19th century...
Lime box of round shape, its lid with embossed decor of the Buddhist Wheel of the Law on top, foliage design under it, surmounting a series of dragons in clouds below, the whole on an elaborate tiny lotus decor. The sides of the lid are decorated with a geometric incised design of a cross and a kind of Greek key. The sides of the body of the box are also decorated with this cross and Greek key design. Beneath the box, an incised decor of Buddhist svastika and flowers...
18th century Indian bronze Shiva shrine from Western India in a form of a courtyard, the family of Shiva seated around a lingam, including his wife Parvati in her Annapurna manifestation and her son Ganesha, as well as Nandi bull and a seated figure of a shrine donor with offering in his hand. The back halo has the protective naga (cobra) with its hood wide open, and there is a pile of offerings in the front left corner of the shrine...
Genuine hand coloured engraved map
MAGNI MOGOLINI IMPERIUM
by Olfert DAPPER 1681
34x28cm. Can be viewed in central London and shipped worldwide.
Full figure watercolour painting on paper of a soldier with a rifle. Undated, watermarked paper mid 19th century or earlier. 23 x 14 cm. Good condition. Can be viewed in central London.
Two(2) Tibetan Himalayan large Coral Beads, 24mm x 13mm(15/16" x 1/2"), purchased in Tibet prior to 1980.
Antique Nepali Sarangi Musical String Instrument with sublimely rendered animal and human figures, from the published and renowned collection of Sam Hilu, a prominent author and adviser on traditional Asian art, 29.75 x 7.75 inches, 75.5 x 20 cm.
An Indian Bronze Figure of Vishu.
The four armed figure standing on a raised base
of traditional form.
Holding in two raised arms a chakra and a conch shell.
South India 18/19thC.
Height; 3 3/4" (9.5 cm).
Condition; normal wear and a good patina
A North Indian steel Katar, known as a push or punch dagger. 19th century.This form of weapon is found only in India and was considered to be a high status weapon.
Constructed from steel it is a very strong weapon. The chiseled blade widens in thickness towards the tip to strengthen it when used against chain mail or armour...
Late 18th to early 19th century Indian bronze votive sculpture of Ganesha sitting on a base, cast in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Ganesha is the remover of obstacles, and thus is invoked before any new undertaking...
A nice hand made octagon silver box with hinge depicting a raised running Lion. Good condition. Size: 7.5 cm. x 5 cm. Weight: 82 gr. silver
Late 19th century small Chinese / Tibetan mala - Buddhist rosary consisting of 108 Chinese angel skin coral prayer beads and 4 jadeite ones that serve as spacers dividing the prayer beads into groups of 27 each. Must have been made for a child as the beads are small (about 4 mm in diameter). True white coral with beautiful areas of slight pink. Traditionally Buddhist rosary of 108 even-sized beads is used for mantra recitation. The thread represents the continuity of the buddhadharma piercing th...
Early 19th century Indian bronze votive sculpture of Ganesha with the usual attributes in his hands, and a very worn rat - his vehicle - by his right knee, cast in the state of Karnataka. 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. Very sweet sculpture, pleasant warm patina, traces of sandalwood paste used during worship, in excellent condi...
An interesting and rare bronze shrine or figure, depicting a Deity, likely Vishnu, seated on a Throne with a large construction at his back, with a Lion mask on top. Cobra hood over his head. South India, ca. 18th. century.
Size: 19 cm.
Condition: Choice, smoothly polished front, the back with an fine very old brown patina.
Ex. Old Danish Collection of Indian bronzes figures of the Hindu, Jain and Buddhist religions, aquired from ca. 1955 to 1990s.
A very rare small box, made of embossed brass, lavishly decorated with various designs on its lid and body. On the lower part of its body the design is a series of "niches" containing effigies of deities and also the portrait in profile of an important person, probably a king. Superb dark-green and reddish patina. Tibetan characters beneath. Tibet, 17th century. Height: 3 3/8" (8,7 cm). il. Superbe patine.
18th century Indian bronze votive sculpture of Nandi - the vehicle of Shiva, or sometimes considered to be a form of Shiva himself. It stands wearing rich trappings, Shiva lingam in front of him, and a protective Naga (cobra) with widely spread hood facing the lingam on the opposite side. Very nice casting, brassy metal, good patina and wear. Very good devotional object, pleasantly heavy. Part of the collection assembled by an American couple that extensively traveled in India in 1950s. Length 3...
The patachitra, the folk painting of Orissa, has a history of great antiquity. The 'Patachitra' paintings exhibit the use of strong line and brilliant colors. These are religious paintings which cover themes and events from Indian mythology and Puranas and are mainly made on silk or on old cotton glued with paper.
This is one of the most popular subjects and was probably produced as a souvenir (jatri pati) for pilgrims for whom the painting would become a personal family shrine. The paint...
A beautiful seated bronze figure of a seated female deity, Hinduism, India, c. 18th. century.
Small figure that we believe could be a figural weight; of a female deity seated on a stepped throne with vertical lines. She is seated crosslegged with the Vishnu style crown and holding an ever?.Come from a collection only holding antique opium weights
Superb glossy old patina, so we think it has quite some age to it.
Heright 6 cm. and weighing 110 grams, quite heavy!...
18th century small votive Indian bronze sculpture cast in Karnataka state representing Bhudevi with bare breasts and closed blue lotus (nilotpala) in her hand. Bhudevi is the consort of Lord Vishnu and personifies the Earth. Classic statue with excellent casting and detailing, standing with her body slightly bent in S-shaped form called tribhanga, modeled with grace and beauty, bronze with high copper contents, wonderful warm patina, traces of sandalwood paste used during worship, in excellent ...
Statue of Hanuman, the Monkey Gos, hero of the Ramayana epic, in formal attire, standing on a rectangular pedestal, his hands in praying posture. The statue and the pedestal were cast separately. The statue may thus be removed from the pedestal. Bronze, with fine dark-green patina. India, 19th century. Height: 4 5/8" (11,7 cm). Good condition.
Nice small size late 19th / early 20th century Sino-Tibetan bronze vajra - the primary symbol and ritual implement in Tantric Buddhism. It symbolizes the essence of esoteric practices and the perfected state of reality. This vajra has 5 prongs on each end - one at the center, and four at the cardinal directions - symbolizing five cosmic Buddhas. The globe in the middle is considered to be the power center of the implement, on either side of the globe there are stylized lotus petals. The four pro...
18th century Indian bronze Shiva shrine from Western India in a form of a courtyard, the family of Shiva seated around a lingam, including his wife Parvati, their son Ganesha, and Nandi bull at the entrance of the shrine. The back halo has the protective naga (cobra) with its hood wide open, and there is a pile of offerings in the front right corner of the shrine. Nice piece with good casting and detailing, good patina with accumulated sooty dust from incense, very pleasant feel of age. Height 2...
A seal made of bronze, decorated in relief with one of the eight Buddhist symbols -- the Two Fish --- on its top, and the Buddhist Banner around its body, and finally with one of the eight Buddhist symbols --- the Eternal Knot --- beneath. Leather cord. Fine reddish-green patina. Tibet, 18th century. Height: 51 mm. Very good condition.
Old tribal necklace, made of old glass beads of various colours with a bronze ornament in the shape of a double fish tail. North East India, Naga ethnic group. Length: around 34 cm. Very good condition. Provenance: 1) old European collection, 2) auction sale.
Old tribal necklace, made of old glass beads with a bronze ornament in the shape of a fish tail. North East India, Naga ethnic group. Length: around 37 cm. Very good condition. Provenance: 1) old European collection, 2) auction sale.
19th century Indian bronze devotional sculpture of Daksha with a head of a goat and his hands in the anjali mudra. Daksha was the father of Sati, the wife of the Lord Shiva. Shiva have not been invited to a great sacrifice to be performed by Daksha. Feeling greatly humiliated on behalf of her husband, Sati went to the banquet and threw herself on the sacrificial fire. Upon hearing about it, Shiva tore a hair out of his head and threw it on the ground: from this hair rose a great warrior and hero...