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.
Finely cast small statue of Hindu Goddess Annapurna, sitting cross-legged on an elevated throne, holding the ritual spoon in both hands. Bronze, with reddish and green patina. India, 17th century, maybe earlier. Height: 4.3 cm. Abrasion due to great age, otherwise good condition.
Unusual 18th/19th century small votive Indian bronze sculpture of Nandi - the vehicle of Shiva, or sometimes considered to be a form of Shiva himself. It rests in its usual position wearing rich trappings surrounded by numerous offerings. Very neat casting and detailing, great patina, compressed dust in crevices and traces of sandalwood paste used during worship, bottom is covered with red paste. Very good devotional object, wonderful feel of age to the piece. Length 1 3/8 inches.
Late 189th century Indian bronze votive plaque depicting Khandoba (a form of Shiva worshipped in Western India) mounted on a horse with his wife Mhalsa in his lap, and a dog following the horse. Khandoba holds various implements in his upper hands and a short sword in his left lower hand. Two round holes with raised lips on top probably signify the sun and the moon. Nice quality casting for that type of plaques, beautiful patina, the front is graciously worn from 200 years of worship...
A Tibetan single seat meditation mat (Kang ma type) of hand woven wool with the central field decorated with floral pattern in different colour on a deep red background; a meander frame in white on blue indigo is separating the central square from the outer border of floral design on rust colour. The rug is finished with thick red cotton frame and blue cotton backing. Tibet, early 20th cent. Measurements: L. 76,5 x W 67 cm; L...
A serene, genuine GANDHARA Stucco Head of Buddha of the Period, 3rd Cent. A.D. Modern mounting on Plexiglass and ready to hang. Good condition. Size: 23 cm x 16 cm (9" x 6.25")
Origin: Afghanistan 1950. Rare piece!
Antique Indian bronze figure of the Goddess Durga, wearing a tall crown, her face burnished from reverent touch over many years. She stands on the severed head and body of the slain buffalo demon Mahishasura. Durga is shown traditionally holding weapons of various male gods in Hindu mythology, such as a javelin, discus, and dagger. These weapons symbolize self-discipline, selfless service to others, self-examination, prayer, devotion, remembering her mantras, cheerfulness and meditation...
Antique Indian bronze figure of the Goddess Durga. The goddess represents the Self within and she is the divine mother of all creation.
She stands atop the body of the slain buffalo demon Mahishasura, pulling at his hair. Durga holds various weapons given to her by male Hindu deities such as a javelin, discus, and dagger. These weapons symbolize self-discipline, selfless service to others, self-examination, prayer, devotion, remembering her mantras, cheerfulness and meditation...
Ancient Indian Jain religious shrine, the central Jina surrounded by multiple celestial nymphs with two elephants at the top on either side of the canopy. This brass with inlaid silver sculpture has ancient Devanagari script over the entire back. The Jinas eyes and central chest are silver inlaid. Rubbed and some losses.
Dated 1661 (17th Century)
Dimensions: 5.5"X 3.75" X 2.25"
Tibetan Himalayan Hard Silver Seal or Chop with Yak leather rope with turquoise, coral and shell bead between, 19th Century, 3 5/8" high for silver Chop, 1 1/8" diameter on the bottom, with beautiful free flow of scrolling vines with Steel engraved with Buddhist motif bottom. This seal was found in Tibet during 1980's visit by collector, never been in commercial market before. The condition is good except small dent but not very much noticeable.
Nepalese stone carving of a four armed Lord Vishnu, standing atop a lotus pedestal, holding in his hands a conch shell, a discus, a lotus blossom, and a mace. From Newar, Kathmandu Valley.
Malla period 16th century
Dimensions: 3 1/4" w x 1 1/2" h x 5 1/4" h
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...