Antique Tibetan Dzi bead, agate with single white band. 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...
Two very well-painted miniature Tibetan paintings on treated cloth (not paper). One wrathful, one tranquil. The larger of the two measures 3-1/4" X 4", while the smaller of the two, the wrathful one, measures 3-1/8" X 3-1/2". Minor rubbing, as seen in the photos. No retouching or repainting.
Antique Tibetan pair of low folding tables. Originally used by Buddhist priests for teaching and praying, these unusual tables fold down for travel. The front and sides of the table are hinged on wooden dowels and fold into the tray created by the table top when it is turned upside down. Painted with colorful scenes of birds and flowers. The table top surface is painted with red lacquer, decorated with gold dragons in the center and fruit branches in the corners...
Out of Mongolia, this old leather tobacco pouch was made with a large button for hanging, long leather tassels, home made interesting decorative leather ornamentation...and hanging hook for removing old tobacco from pipe...
Clearly old and well used: the leather is still playable.
Great example of ethnographic folk art
18th century Indian bronze votive sculpture of Ganesha sitting on a square 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) wrapped around his waist. 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...
A Nepalese wood sculpture of Bhairava and his consort Bhairavi on a custom stand. Bhairava (Sanskrit: frightful) is a Hindu Tantric deity worshiped by Hindus. In Shaivism, he is a fierce manifestation of Shiva associated with annihilation.
Date: 15th / 16th century
Provenance: Spinks London 1985, thence Handley Collection
Dimensions:18" tall X 12" wide X 4" deep with stand, sculpture 17" tall X 12" wide X 3.25" deep
This Tibetan gau (aka prayer box) is actually a small shrine. When not being worn as an ornament during festivals, it would be kept in the prayer niche of the family home. The back of the box slides open. Frequently, a special prayer i.e. sutra pages would be placed inside. The small glass window at the front displays a Tsa tsa, which is a clay statue of a Buddhist Deity. These statues were made only by the monks and considered to be a holy relic...
Old wooden Phurba...nicely aged patina from handling and use...
Faces topped with diadems, 3 side "blade"section has carved scroll design
almost 11 inches long high.
Alternative spelling...phurpa,phurbha, Pronunciation: Fur-bah
The Phurba is a special triple sided Tibetan ritual dagger or stake, patterned after an ancient Vedic tool. Originated as a stake that tethered sacrificial animals...
Old Ayigalu of white metal in round pot form containing original cone shaped lingam with indentations indicating the correct direction, wrapped in old red cotton cloth. Strung on silver chain. Excellent tight fitting. Size of metal 6.5x5cm.
Can be viewed in central London and shipped worldwide.
A rare Jain Indian sandstone Stele with carved image of the 11 Jain disciples from the Gujarat or Rajasthan regions. Seated figures of Jain teachers are always sculpted with hands folded in meditation. Thie central Mahavira Swami has an auspicious diamond-shaped mark on his chest. The Swami is seated on a lotus with a halo above his head. Underneath the Swami are two mythological lions...
Himalayan Metal Chop with Brass Conch Shell Buddhist symbol inlaid, early 1900's, 1 3/4" high, 1/2" diameter-bottom, steel inlaid star design on the bottom, two(2) holes on the side mid section for the rope carrying on their belt. Some rust remain on the metal area.
Early 19th century Tibetan thangka in original mounts depicting Buddha Amitabha seated on a lotus throne holding an alms bowl in his hands, sun and moon among clouds behind him and a pile of offerings in front of the throne. Amitabha is the Buddha of Infinite Light and presides over Sukhavati (the Western Paradise)...
18th to early 19th century Tibetan thangka in original mounts depicting six-armed Mahakala standing on a lotus base trampling on elephant headed Vigneshwara (Lord of Obstacles). Mahakala is an emanation of Boddhisattva Avalokiteshvara and the leader of the dharmapalas (Defenders of the Buddhist Law), his name means “beyond time/death”, and he represents the flow of time...
Early 18th to early 19th century Tibetan thangka in original mounts depicting Green Tara with the image of Buddha Amitabha above her and her 21 forms around her. She is the miraculous savior rescuing all beings from suffering, particularly from the “eight calamities” of both mundane and spiritual nature: 1. lions and pride 2. wild elephants and delusion 3. forest fires and hatred 4. snakes and envy 5. robbers and fanatical views 6. prisons and avarice 7...
18th century Tibetan thangka in original mounts depicting Begtse standing on a lotus throne trampling on the corpses of horses and humans, brandishing a sword, supporting a lance and a bow and devouring a human heart. Rather rare icon, Beg-tse (also called Jamsaran) is a dharmapala (the Defender of the Buddhist Law) and the Lord of War, in origin a pre-Buddhist war god of the Mongols - his name means “hidden coat of mail”. He has red skin and orange-red hair, two arms (as opposed to other Ma...
Early 19th century Tibetan thangka in original mounts depicting Bodhisattva Manjushri seated on a lotus throne holding a flaming sword and a lotus flower with a book on it in his hands, sun and moon among clouds behind him and a pile of offerings in front of the throne. Manjushri’s name means “Gentle Glory”, a flaming sword represents the realization of transcendent wisdom which cuts down ignorance and duality. The scripture supported by the lotus is Prajnaparamita Sutra representing his a...
Early 19th century Tibetan / Mongolian thangka depicting Tserendug - the White Old Man - Lord of the earth and water, protector of all living things. Rare icon, Tserendug as the patron of the plant and animal world is one of the ancient chthonic deities incorporated into Buddhist iconography and is associated with Buddha Amitayus. He is shown seated on a lotus throne wearing a white robe and holding a staff with a dragon's head and a scroll, distant mountains, sun and moon among clouds behind hi...
Good size early 19th century Tibetan thangka in original mounts depicting 6-armed Bhuddist dharmapala Hayagriva easily recognizable by 3 horse heads in his crown. He is considered to be the terrific form of Avalokiteshvara and thus the archetype of fierce compassion. Hayagriva is shown wearing a tiger skin apron and a long necklace of human heads, holding various implements in his hands. Hayagriva’s special ability is to cure diseases, especially skin diseases even as serious as leprosy, which...