Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian (74)

Tibetan thogchag figuring Chanadordje, 3,5 x 3,5 cms

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 The turquoise have been replaced by an other old one; the silver and brass pieces are at least 19th C...

Yi food bowl made of lacquered bamboo. Beautiful patina, expected wear and tear ; China,19th. D :16cms, H : 11cms

Puppet of a Mandarin. Beautiful costume ( dragoon), part of headdress mobile ,
Old native repairs with metal at the left leg, some old leather's ties (see pix), Sha'anxi. 19th C. 31 cms

Stoneware opium pipe bowls with patterns and maker's marks.
Beautiful calligraphy; perfect condition. 19th C. D: 7cms.

Stoneware opium pipe bowls with patterns and maker's marks.
Beautiful patina; very good condition. 19th C or before. D: 8 cms.

Miao silver counter-weight used to hold the apron, stamped with the silversmith’s name in Chinese ; also supposed to hold the soul of the wearer. L:8 cms, H:6,5 cms.
Perfect condition, beautiful patina. CE p.300 (see Bibliography) . Miao, Guizhou, China.

Silver ear pick in the shape of a rat, Miao or Dong minorities, Yunnan, China. L : 6,5c

Antique Indian « ayigalu », lingam casket, “chauka” style (Nandi’s horns shape), used by the Lingayat in Karnatakka, India. 9 x 6,5 cms. CE 236 (see Bibliography)

Very deep and heavy Nuo mask of a serene unidentified character with very long ears, ancient polychromia, perfect condition, beautiful patina.
At least 18th. C, probably Ming Dy. 18 x 17 cms. Yunnan, China.(see bibliography)

Very old Nuo mask of Heshang, the Buddhist Monk, serene and smiling ; usually has a red circle of holyness on the forehead (we can see trace of it) and very long ears.
Very rare "bianlian" (changing face), eyes and mouth moveable, they can be animated from the inside by the wearer;
Old native restorations around the chin, 21 x 15 cms, 18th C. or before. Guizhou, China. RM 142-207-245; MC 48 (see bibliography)

Small bronze statue from Sri Lanka, typical of the Ceylonese style. H : 10,5 cms, 19Th C, Sri Lanka

Very beautiful and delicate antique lacquered mask of Xienfang Xiaojie, Miss Vanguard, wearing her characteristic phoenix headdress ; very expressive handwork, remnants of original marouflage.
Due to its quality and sophistication, this mask is probably a rare « court » nuo mask which belonged to the same set as M-T1Q. Very good condition, some lacquer missing (see pix). 24 x 16 cms. 19th C or before. RM 93,145,163; MC 122-125 (see bibliography)

Very big and beautiful antique lacquered nuo mask of Tudi Gong, the "God of soil" and grains, essential in an agrarian country. He is the main actor in Wunuo cult, usually represented with a smiling face, and long eyebrows and beard...

Nuo mask of Kailu, "Open the path", god with a terrifying face (horns, fangs) who leads the funerary procession; his fierce face is intended to repulse the bad spirits (and the dangerous wild animals?).
Very rare big portrayal of Kailu with very big eyes and mouth, the only one of this kind i ever saw; 3 growing horns, big eyes and mouth, 2 fangs; ancient polychromia, nice patina...

Very old Chinese Shadow Puppet of a General; very thick water buffalo leather. Beautiful headdress with animal and complete original costume.
Old native repairs with leather and metal in headdress, neck and banner (see pix) ; 33 cms. Sha'anxi, 19th C. or before.

Antique silver protective amulet in the shape of a temple representing the horseman “Bhumiya Ray”, worn par Rajput, India ,Rajasthan. H : 4,5c. CE 228 (see Bibliography)

Antique Indian « ayigalu », lingam casket, used by the Lingayat in Karnatakka ; complete with its chain. 6 x 5cms. CE 236 (see Bibliography)