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"...

Lovely old pair of matching Tibetan tea bowls. Carved from burl wood with silver/metal decoration around the foot and silver liner inside the bowls. bowls are roughly 2 inches high and 3.75 inches diameter across the rimmed bowl

Antique Nepalese clay sculpture of a four-armed deity, most likely Vishnu. He is seated upon a lotus throne, with an arch of transcript around his head denoting a religious mantra. Size: 4.75" height, 3.5" width, 1.5" thickness

Antique Tibetan bone carving, originally from a Shaman's robe worn during religious ceremonies. All hand-carved with a deity figure surrounded by highly intricate decorative motifs. Includes custom made iron display stand.Dates from the 18th century.

Size: 4.5" H x 1.5" L x .5" W (carving only) 6.5" H x 2" L x 2" W (on stand)

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.

Tibetan Himalayan Match Striker, Coral and Turquoise natural stones set in the embossed and high relief decorated hard Silver and Brass borders on Yak Skin Leather, 3 5/8" high without ring, 6" wide steel striker. The heavy hard Silver top is also decorated with fine designs which shows the wear. Six metal buttons are studded on the back, surrounded with decorated Hard Silver borders. The leather inside is dyed light red color. The condition is good.

A small copper repousse plaque from Nepal or Tibet. Showing a dancing female deity, maybe Tara, holding lotus flowers. Condition: fine. Dimension: 11.2 cm high x 8 cm wide.

DESCRIPTION: A large Mongolian trunk, the front delightfully hand painted with a large, colorful bird perched upon leafy blooms, around which are fanciful borders of butterflies, pomegranates, lilies and large red blossoms. Sturdily constructed of light weight Poplar wood, the top and sides are lacquered black while the back is red. A perfect place to store linens and blankets, it would also make an attractive bedside table. Very good condition and dating from around 1900 - 1910...

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

A fine lot of 5 metal items from the same collection:

a) Leather, silver, gilded brass, copper, corals. Wallet in form of vajra, 12 x 7,5cm. b) Silver, copper, with turquoise and corals. Gunpowder container in form of a horn, L ca 20cm. c) Silver gau container with a coral and four glass stones, H 11,5cm.. d) Bronze alloy, silvered tingsha cymballs with dragons, ca. 7,5 cm. in diameter. e) Brass vajra. 19th - early 20th century, L 12,8cm.

Traces of usage...

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.

Antique thangka painting with Buddha seated high above and also ascending from a heavenly realm. A palace below with many llamas and attendants. An altar is spread with auspicious objects. At the very bottom of the scene, figures relax in palace rooms flanking a garden. Painted in mineral colors on cotton.

Age: circa 1900

Dimensions: 56" high x 43 1/2" wide

Early 20th Century Tibetan Thangka of Mahakala and Consort from a renowned and published collection. Very Good Condition. 28 x 21 inches, 71 x 53 cm.

Early 20th Century Tibetan Thangka of Unusual Garuda from a renowned and published collection. Very Good Condition. 27 x 20.5 inches, 69 x 52 cm.

Interesting bronze relief figure female deity, probably Himalayan, and c. late 19th.- early 20th. century.

Size: 22-23 cm.

Ex. Danish Private Collection.

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...

Beautiful and Unusual antique Tibetan portable flint lock container. The "U" shaped brass body of a lidded box is chased and decorated with the "Wheel of Dharma." Backed with a metal belt loop used to fashion on ones belt. Container to store black powered and lead bullets for matchlock rifle.

19th Century

Size: 4 1/2" x 4" x 1 3/16"

This is a well-painted Tibetan thanka depicting the Medicine Buddha. The painting is unframed and measures 10" X 12". Ample gold highlights, including the "aureole" surrounding the Buddha. Minor rubbing, as can be seen in the photos. In need of a good cleaning. Inscription on the reverse.

Rare silver mounted boar's tusk opium pipe from the Himalayas in the Tibetan area. The bowl is in the form of a dragon's head with dark blue glass eyes and has a cover fashioned as the dragon's nose with a chain attached. Marked 925. This is real treasure for the collector and is in excellent working condition. Following the outer curve it measures 7.5 inches. Dates circa 1900.

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...

Tibetan woman wore their hair in long braids which were slipped into elaborately embroidered textile sleeves for festivals.

This Tibetan shrine shaped gau (aka prayer box) is actually a religious 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 Diety. These statues were made only by the monks and considered to be a holy relic...

A beautifully drawn Nepalese painting on thickened paper of Vajrapani, shown with a tranquil, otherworldly expression on his face. In excellent condition. Measures 8" X 10"

A wooden carved Tibetan mask. The art of Tibetan masks can be classified into religious type and folk type. Exorcising masks were initially held to drive away ghosts and evil spirits. Later were used in local operas. Size: 27cm X 17cm.

Early 20th Century Tibetan Thangka of Mahakala and Consort from a renowned and published collection. Very Good Condition. 27 x 20.5 inches, 69 x 52 cm.

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...

Originally part of a full sized Tibetan adult costume, this piece was cut down to complete a childs festival costume. Decorated with turquoise, coins, tassels and silver ornaments, this type of textile accessory would often be attached to the elaborate headdress or hat and drape down the back to complete the wearers costume. The Tibetan people are not wastefull and items of festival garments in any condition are hard to acquire...

Lovely antique copper pot with ornate reposse silver decoration from Tibet. Probably used for butter tea...Roughly 13 inches high...heavy gauge copper with a few minor surface dents commensurate with age...Rare and gorgeous

Tibetan Bronze Mahakala Mask Censer. The jewelled and crowned mask well cast and raised on three feet. Tibetan 19thC. Length; 6" (15.1 cm). Condition; polished patina

A votive portable prayer altar with a bronze botisattva on the front, in relief, sitting on a lotus pedestal. it is surrounded by incised leaf and flower patterns. Inside is a statue of Buddha and there are two prayer sheets (one hand printed and one block printed).

Period: 19th Century

Size: 13 centimeters high

Condition: Very good. Natural patina

This old drum from Nepal was used for festival and carried in parades. The man would use the left hand to hold the drum by the handmade ropes across the back of the drum. He would use the right hand to strike the drum skin. The chains and metal bits hanging from the bottom would add an extra "jangle" sound while drum moving. Clearly made as folk art instrument, the drum is somewhat out of round and about 18" at the widest diameter.

Antique Tibetan silver incense burner in three pieces. Created as a smaller version of a kapala (skull cup) ritual vessel for Buddhist ceremonies. The censor seats into a triangular base covered with designs of swirling mist and Sanskrit symbols. The lid is similarly decorated and has a vajra finial.

Age: 19th century

Dimensions: 7 3/4" high x 4 1/4" wide x 4 1/2" wide

This Tibetan Priest's rattle is carved from horn and has a bone cap on the end. It was used by the Monk during ceremonial rituals and would have been shaken to ward off evil spirits. This horn was hand carved with many Tibetan Buddist symbols. All the edges are worn smooth with use and repeated handling.

Mystical Dzi beads have been implements of ancient Tibetan culture for thousands of years. They are believed to hold magical properties bringing prosperity and protection. 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. This Dzi bead has a pattern of 8 white circles, or "heavenly eyes", considered one of the most sought after characteristics. It also ha...

Two Tibetan stem platters for ritual offerings, made from hardwood with metal sheet. The center decorated with a wheel, one of the eight Buddhist Symbols. Torma are cone shaped ritual food offerings sculpted in a variety of shapes and sizes, mostly made of flour and butter. Condition: traces of usage, one piece with an old repair (was broken in two). Dimension: diameter: c. 19 cm, height: 6 cm and 7.3 cm, weight: 1200 g.

Beautiful Tibetan mandala thangka painting, buddhas and bodhisatvas appear around the central mandala form, stylized archways lead to a central square in which more buddhas are seated, the back ground is a pure land with a range of white mountains. 19th century. Size of art: 21 1/2" high x 15 1/2" wide Total size of thangka: 31" high x 22" wide

Antique Nepalese bronze figures of Yama Dharmaraja and Yami in tantric embrace. The buffalo headed Buddhist protector, Lord of Death and Justice stands with his consort. He tramples a male buffalo with one foot, a female victim with the other. He brandishes a skull-tipped stick in his right hand and his hair streams out in flames behind his horns.

Age: 19th century

Dimensions: 5 1/4" high x 3 1/4" wide x 2" deep

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. The back is left open to ...

Beautiful antique pair of gilt copper repouse snow lions, nice patina and traces of paint especially on the faces, each lion is standing on hind legs and holding conch shells in upraised paws, wonderful detail, Himalayan, 18th/19th century Size of each: 13" high x 14 1/2" wide

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. Decorated with Buddhist symbols on the side and no decoration in the back. Top shows wears, paint on to...

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.

Please study the photographs.

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Antique Himalayan tsha tsha (small votive plaque) depicting a red bodhisattva seated on a lotus throne. Tsha Tsha were cast of clay mixed with ground incense and sacred ash. They were dried in the sun and painted with polychrome pigments. Small votives like this one were left as offerings at spiritual sites along a pilgrim's route.

Age: 18th century

Dimensions: 3 3/4" high x 3 1/8" wide x 1 3/8" deep

Very Nice patina on this old Tibetan Dorje. It is 7 inches long. The Tibetan Dorje is the equivalent of the India Buddhist symbol of Vajra or Thunderbolt which represents the masculine force....

Antique Nepalese bronze melong, "Mirror of Emptiness". Melong are placed on altars to reflect right thoughts. This melong has a polished center surrounded by flames. It stands on a lotus base. It is the same on either side. A soft rattling sound from within the convex portion of the mirror reveals that it has been consecrated, meaning a prayer has been placed inside.

Age: 18th/19th century

Dimensions: 7 1/2" high x 4 1/4" wide x 2 1/2" deep

Antique 19th century Sino-Tibetan (Tibet or Nepal) seated figure of Avalokiteshvara, made of finely cast copper alloy.

The bodhisattva is shown seated in lalitasana on a lotus base, with his hands held in shuni mudra. The bare chest and shoulders are adorned with coral jewelry beaded with natural coral stones, and the elaborate tiara and the flanking stems of blossoming lotus are embellished with natural turquoise stones. The sculpture was cast with fine details in two separate elements,...

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. L w leather : 23 cms, L of silver pieces : 8 cms.T...

Tibetan Himalayan region Tsampa Tea Bowl, hard Silver wrapped Burlwood Tea Bowl, Ca. 1900, 2 1/2" high, 4" diameter on top rim, Silver impressed and raised Buddhist design on high foot wrapped around the bottom. Red Wax Seal mark in the center of the bottom. Hand hammered mark inside silver bowl, not a damage.

Antique 19th century Tibetan Buddhist ceremonial solid silver cup stand with cover (Dhakya), fitted with 13th century Blue and White Yuan dynasty porcelain teacup, hand-painted in the center in cobalt blue with a Chinese character within a circle and four Chinese characters on the exterior wall.

This hand-hammered cup stand is made of solid silver, has a cylindrical, tapered foot, is finely hand chased with lotus flowers among scrolling patterns, and three gilded medallions with engraved Pa...

This beautiful antique short strand of beads would have been carried in the pocket and taken out for ritual religious prayer...2 spacer counter beads are honey amber and the 3rd is red coral...

A Tibetan Copper Tea Pot of plain form, the spout with a silver and turquoise mount. Tibet 18/19thC. Height: 3 1/4"

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

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.

Highly ornate silver belt buckle with turquoise and coral Stones, Tibetan, 19th century, mounted on contemporary black leather belt. The silver buckle measures 7 1/4" wide, and is 1 1/2" deep, with two large bezel set coral beads and a turquoise stone between them. The black leather is 1 3/8" wide and 47 3/4" long. The sections with holes will adjust to waist size of 36 1/2" to 40", though more holes could be made to make it fit a smaller waist. The buckle is curved slightly from end to end...

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...

Very old anthropomorphic statue of a deity protecting a household, staying on a circular base, with an expressive face and hands in praying posture. Eroded wood, age patina. Nepal, 19th century. Height: 33.3 cm. The statue is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Collected in the early seventies in the Himalayan region.

Large circular plate beautifully and intricately decorated with concentric embossed designs, consisting in, on the front side, from the center to the rim: - in the center, a Citipati holding a skull in his left hand and a khatvangha in his right dancing on a lotus base and framed by a flaming mandorla, - a circle of tiny stylised Citipati, - a circle of skulls, - a wide circle containing two dragons facing the Flaming Pearl and two phoenixes below framing two deers facing the Wheel of the L...

A beautiful bronze temple bell with twisted stem and with two Garudas seated under the protective roof of the Cobra as a finial, Nepalese, 18th.-19th. century AD.

With a stunning brown patina and inscribed with short inscription in Sanskrit on the side of the bell.

Size: 20,7 cm. tall and weighing c. 720 grams.

Ex. Henning Holck Larsen collection (1907-2003), a famous Danish Engineer, CEO and founder of Larsen & Toubro, one of Indias largest construction compani...

Antique Himalayan small silver Buddha Sakyamuni seated in vajrasana position on a lotus throne. His feet are folded in his lap in vajraparyankasana and his right hand reaches down in bhumispara mudra. His expression is compassionate with downcast eyes and a slight smile. The bottom of the base is covered in copper.

Age: 19th century

Dimensions: 3 1/8" high x 2" wide x 1 5/8" deep

This old Tibetan pouch would have been worn for festival both for decoration and coins...it is not a flint strike...clearly it has been used (probably passed from generation to generation)...decorated with coral and turquoise...a few metal enhavcements are missiog...

Antique 19th century Tibetan, huge Drinking Horn used to hold and dispense Chhaang or barley beer. The slightly curved large horn body mounted with four brass mounts each hammered and finely repoussed with Ruyi heads and roiling waves ornaments and fitted with three suspension loops. The wider end has been plugged with a disk of wood. The other end has been similarly plugged but leaving a small hole from which the liquid can be poured.

Chhaang is a Tibetan beer brewed from barley, millet o...