Catalog (55)

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. It is likely that this phurba is not used as the smaller ones are for fight...

This Ghurra which imitates a chain is carved from a single piece of wood so without any gluing. The top shows 2 two protectors sitting back to back like Janus H 6 cm. This work testifies to a great mastery of wood carving and also to a deep respect for churning work. H 23 cm More information on local origin on request

Mask carved in a very hard wood from the root of the tree whose local name is "Jugardana". On the top of the mask, you can still see natural parts not modified by the sculptor. These masks are mainly used for decorative purposes. H 20 cm

Very unusual “janus” designed mushroom mask; one side shows the native wrinkled face of the mushroom whereas the opposite side shows a smooth face with more carving work. Eyes and mouth are common to both faces. The mask has ear pendants, which are made with 2 different seeds, one is rudraksha bead which is the seed of a very common tree in Nepal. These seeds are very popular for making Hindu and Buddhist rosaries and the second is the “rita bead” core of the Himalayan soap nuts “Sapin...

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

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

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

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.

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.

The lower part is a small closing storage cabinet with a door, the upper part is supported by 2 elephants and has a flat part where cult objects or flowers could be placed, in front is a deeply carved ovoid plate in front. The oval-shaped sculpture represents a standing man who could be a shaman, with arms outstretched holding a trisul in his left hand, he is surrounded by animals and an object that looks like a pot, a milk pot ? Information collected during the purchase suggests that this ite...

Mask carved in a very hard wood, the design is minimal. However the lines formed by the nose and the continuity with those located above the eyes evoke the shape of a spider. Note a slot on the right of the mask, however well secured by a metal clip. Far north west of Nepal, Humla region, H 34 cm, W 19 cm, age circa mid 20th.

Mask with black soot patina whose edges of the mouth and eyes are enhanced with red and also white for the eyes only. The tip of the nose shows a much higher wear patina than the other areas of the mask. The inside of the mask also shows a very nice shiny black indicating important signs of use. This mask shows all the features of a joker mask, possibly from kami people (untouchable cast), North central region of Nepal H 27cm , mid 20th century

Mask with black patina, large volume, the design is minimal, the yeyx are highlighted by a double sculpted line. Good age at least mid 20th. Semi-hard wood showing some old traces of insects. Probably Eastern Nepal, Rai, Limbu ethnic groups? H 32 cm, width 20 cm

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.

Mask certainly depicting a horned demon which could be a local representation of an anismist demon or an atypical form of a Nuo theater figure from the minorities of southern China, good age at least mid-20th. Old balck soot patina, good condition H 32 cm

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

An interesting ghurra showing a man or a woman pulling a buffalo with a rope on one side whereas 3 milk pots are carved on the back side. H 27 cm, H 9.5 cm , Thickness 4 cm More information on request. A metal stand can be offered. Please double click on the pictures to get the highest enlargement

A drum handle from a gompa used by a lama. The handle can be removed for a better handling, especially when the lama had to go for a family ceremony, marriage, funerals etc. the drum; the drum is quite heavy as it is made in a single piece of wood with almost no figurative carving only one chimeric animal on each side. Total height is about 94 cm; handle is 54 cm diameter 42/44 cm and thickness 20 cm.