This type of phurba shows tall, single or twin riders. They all seem to originate from Langtang District and are attributed to the Tamang people. The iconography of the Hayagriva horse is often found in Buddhist iconography. Here, the horses have riders who are the shamans; the mythical horse with its supernatural power will allow the shaman to move around the dangerous invisible world of demons and other evil spirits...
This tobacco pouch ("kochor") from Indus Kohistan is embroidered in silk thread on cotton, with extremely fine cross- tent and satin-stitch, and white glass beaded tassels to adorn the edges. The bag measures 7" x 8" with the tassels. There is a string on the side of the bag which is used to hang the purse from the water pipe ("huqqa") while it is being smoked...
A Tibetan ewer beautifully worked in silver alloy, probably with later gilding. The compressed body with two cartouches showing the subject of "the four harmonious brothers" and a monk sitting under a tree among animals and treasures. The lid with a vajra-shaped knob and decorated with Buddhist symbols. Silver tested. Condition: few traces of usage, areas with little oxidation. Dimension: c. 15 cm long, 12.5 cm high, weight: 321 g.
This Tibetan wool sash measures 12.7 cm x 340.4 cm in length including the silky fringes. The tigma (cross) motif is an ancient good luck charm among Tibetans and here it is depicted in a discontinuous weft pattern design. These sashes are traditionally worn to secure the traditional Tibetan attire called a chuba. The high lustre of the wool is attributed to the high lanolin content of the goat wool in the high altitude regions of the Tibetan plateau...
From our Indian Subcontinent Collection, a fine and large tempura on silk original painting depicting figures in what seems like a celestial dance, almost a magical procession...
Tibetan Himalayan Wool Horse Rug with Dragon design, purchased in Lhasa Tibet early 1980's, 35" x 25" wide, curled up Dragon in the center on dark blue background bordered by Tibetan motif, the outer border is sewn with red Felt fabric and the bottom is dark blue fabric. The condition is new.
Depicting curling horned and star patterns, this wedding textile from the Hazara district of Pakistan, in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (formerly known as NWFP) is densely embroidered in silk floss thread on a black cotton ground. It measures 70 x 77.5 cm and is in excellent condition. The motifs are curvilinear and embroidered in dark red in a combination of satin stitch and long and short stitch, outlined with a top stitch of golden silk floss. Estimated age: late 20th century.
Abstract floral patterns combine with medallion motifs in shades of dark red and pink in this kameez from the Hazara district, North West Frontier Province (recently re-named Khyber Pakhtunkhwa). Silk floss on cotton (a handwoven coarse cloth called khaddar), the embroidery is in the characteristic phulkari stitch which resembles a satin stitch but only on the front side. Each cuff has an embroidered band in brick stitch...
Pair Himalayan Tibetan Stupa shape Brass Chops, Seals, Stupa Altar pieces, 2 1/4" high, 1" to 1 1/8" wide on the bottom, carved double fish and other Buddhist symbols inside hexagonal shape bottom, the condition is good.
A king-sized cotton duvet cover from Nepal, measuring 111 x 74½" inches (43.7 x 29.3 cm) in purple, red and green. The viúvavajra ("crossed vajra") and chevron motifs are depicted in wool thread in chain stitch. Condition: Excellent. The vajra (meaning diamond or thunderbolt) is believed to represent firmness of spirit and spiritual power and is displayed in the national emblem of Bhutan.
This lovely cushion cover from Swat Valley is densely embroidered in mustard and salmon floss-silk thread in darning stitch on a black cotton ground. The motifs are typical of the embroidery of Swat and Hazara regions of Pakistan, geometric and curvilinear motifs outlined in yellow running stitch. The textile is in excellent condition and features a slit on the back for a pillow insert. It measures 38 x 38 cm. Estimated age: mid to late 20th century.
This item is coming from people from Terai community,
It represent a drum player which be activated through a complicated rope network, at least two or three explanation can be forwarded regarding the role of this piece.
Height 23 cm wide 23 cm, the piece is based on a metal stand
Two similar pieces are available More information on request
Large Ghurra showing a powerful scene involving the founding couple of the family. it is an excellent overview of the primordial symbolism of the churning milk saga. Age is difficult to predict, because this kind of luxurious ghurra might not be used every day, based on its signs of use, it may be from the end of the 20th, but from the point of view of design he is much older.rom late 20 th , from the design point of view it is be much more older...
Figure 1 is a dark and brooding big red just received so dark even out of frame and matte maki s first big red appeared in 1963 this is an abstract rendering of the kanji for woman she seems to be standing there swaying ever so slowly this print has a good green blue sun at the upper left Here no splashes yet to add color figure 3 figure 3 here figure 4 alsom here
Shamanic phurbu whose top part shows a rider with hands joined in the ritual gesture of Namaste. The mount is not a horse but could be the ashoka lion. age circa 50 years. Height 29cm.
This is a beautiful and gorgeous book titled "Textiles: The Soul of India" by Hiroko Iwatate who is a prominent collector and researcher of antique and modern Indian textiles for about 40 years. There was a highly reputed exhibition of her Indian textiles collection at Japan folk Crafts Museum ( Nihon Mingei-kan ) in Tokyo in 2007 as well as in other museums in Japan. It has 207 pages with full color pictures and captions and descriptive texts in Japanese as well as in English...
Very nice Ghurra with the mythic scenary of a protector riding a cow and surmounted by another cow. Very hard wood showing a Glossy brown patina. H 27cm.
More information of local origin
A tobacco pouch from Indus Kohistan, probably Palas or Kolai valley. Cotton embroidered with silk in satin stitch. The string on the side of the bag is used to hang the pouch from a huqqa (water pipe) while it is being smoked. Circa second half of 20th century. Condition of this textile is excellent.
Measuring 15.5 x 16 inches (39.4 x 40.6 cm), this textile from Kandahar, Afghanistan is embroidered in silk thread embroidery on a fine silk ground which is stitched onto a fine cotton linen panel. Depicting eight pointed star and rosette motifs in exquisitely fine satin stitching in counted-thread technique, the sheen of the silk is worked so that the light catches it in different settings, a characteristic feature of the embroidery ("khamak") of Kandahar...
Genuine large Kalighat painting. A Chalchitra is a painted frieze that goes above a statue of Durga during puja.
24 different figures, lions, elephants and horses.
Waterbased pigments on newspaper dated 1963.
Diameter 170 cm maximum height of scroll 30cm. Currently in 2 pieces, surface scuffed and edges frayed as shown.
Very harmonius Protector in the sitting position with the hands in the namaste gesture, important weather eroded patina; remaining encrusted white pigment (seto mato). Hard wood, H 32 cm
Two very playful Southeast Asian panthers skillfully carved from red palm wood. They can be displayed on any one of 3 sides and look as thought they were designed to be viewed in whatever position you place them. The wood is heavy and dense feeling very much like a hardwood and weighs about 3 lbs. In excellent vintage condition, they measure 9.5 inches long by 5 inches high. Dates early 20th century.
Typical of the mountainous Swat valley in northern Pakistan, this cushion cover ("thakia" in Urdu) is distinguished by a purple cotton background embroidered in a bright pink, with yellow and sage highlights. This amazing piece measures 14 1/8 inches x 30 inches (36.1 cm x 76.2 cm). Swati embroidery patterns are traditionally handed down from mother to daughter and these are the typical color contrasts. In Swat, the embroidery is called bagh, meaning flower garden...
Mask from Mompa theater, depicting a dog or wolf showing threatening fangs. Old black patina leaving in places traces of white coating. Hardwood H 23 cm
Wonderful Southeast Indian Wooden Bowl.
Description: Nicely carved with woven decoration on the border, from a piece of a tree trunk. Size: 11.75"W x 8"D x 2.75"H, in great condition.
The size of Covered Box: 2 15/16" Dia x 5" High Box alone, 6 3/4" High with wooden stand. Stand 4 1/8" Square. The covered box is made with Soap Stone carved around the box with Elephant design. 1/8" depth carved. Two little elephant on top as knob.
they are also carved from soap stone. The condition of Box and cover excellent condition. Very little wear. The stand has one little cut error on one corner. It is made in India. The age of item from 1960-1970's.
In Tibetan Buddhism, the Kartika, or Drigug, is a ritual flaying knife used in burial rituals, with the handle crafted as a dorje. A tool of the wrathful female deities known as Dakinis, the kartika symbolizes the cutting of all things material, symbolized by the human body. The blade is left dull (never sharpened) because it was used in a ritual representing the flaying of flesh and not for the actual purpose.
old mushroom mask, with a shiny black patina. These mask are made from tree parasit mushroom with a minimal carving work. The aime of the carvers is to take advantage of the native form of the mushroom. These masks are usually hung inside homes to function as protective effigies. They are more occasionally used as face masks during festival season, H 29 cm, width 38 cm weight1Kg.
A two-double janus ancestors which could seems rough at first glance but looking carefully reveals a peculiar design, the larger form is yet anthropomorphic with a superposed carved second human silhouette, the back side is similar. From Rukkum district, mid 20th, presented on an iron stand, H 24 cm:
Robust ghurra surprising by its gigantic dimensions, while little use index can be observed despite an estimate good age ( 40 to 50 years). The ghurras may well ask riddles unanswered for now. Important geometric and symmetrical prints with beautiful black patina areas due to aging wood and also likely handling...
H 34 cm, thickness 4.5 cm , max wide 13 cm weight 800 gr
Presented on a metal stand
Further information on request
A simple ghurra but with an great important sign of use, encrusted geometrical carvings. H 25.5 cm
More information on request
Ghurra showing a sitting protector with the hands joined in the Namaste gesture. The ghurra is fixed to a pillar by a noose. Beautiful black soot aptina, age could from second art of the 20th. H 26 cm
More information on local origin on request.
Old mask with black patina, presence of goat skin with black hairs to represent hairs, eyelashes, eyebrows, mustaches and beard. The mouth is open showing the sculpted upper teeth. The top of the head is cut to represent the crown indicating an important man in his community. Very heavy and hard wood. Age at least mid 20th. H 32 cm
Important sized Ghurra, long stick model with rope carving design. Great encrusted thick patina . Local repair with a 3 metal banding around the rotating hole.
H 34 cm , Thickness 4.5 cm
More information on request
Standing protector on a wide circular base (base diameter 20 cm), the eyes are figured with one glass bead and one black seed. H 42 cm .
More information on request
Dated to the mid 20th century, this cushion cover (thakia) measures 15¼ inches x 30 inches (38.7 cm x 76.2 cm). As the Hazara district is situated between Punjab and Swat, the embroidery of this area is stylistically very similar to that of the Swat Valley. However, these pieces are generally more complex in design and construction. This piece is embroidered on both sides with silk on a cotton background in a predominantly geometric pattern...