Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian (74)

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

Big "Bianlian" 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 often missing or replaced later; when missing, we can see holes where the hair was fastened.
Bianlian means face changing: this mask has an articulated jaw which could be animated by the wearer...

Brass toggle of a horse; excellent and vivid craftsmanship.
Beautiful patina, perfect condition (see pix). 19th C. or before. L: 5 cms. TCT 244 (see Bibliography)

Brass toggle of a horse; excellent and vivid craftsmanship.
Beautiful patina, partially oxidized, perfect condition (see pix). Before 19th C. L: 5,5 cms. TCT 244 (see Bibliography)

Brass toggle of a male baby wearing an apron and holding an ingot.
Symbol of fertility and wealth, and expression of the desire for a male descendant. Very appreciated wedding present.
Excellent craftsmanship, beautiful patina, perfect condition (see pix). H: 4,5 cms.19th C. or before. TCT 245 (see Bibliography)

Brass toggle of a monkey; expresses the wish for high office. Excellent and vivid craftsmanship.
Beautiful patina, perfect condition. 19Th C. or before. H : 3,5 cms. TCT 244 (see Bibliography)

Big antique cantonese puppet of a man ; very fine features, worn cloth (holes, patches) with brodery (a lot missing at the back) and Chinese characters inside (see pix) ; the piece of bamboo supporting the cloth is present. One hand only, also very old.
H of head : 13 cms and W : 10 cms, South of China, 19th C.

Old Chinese boxwood compass (luopan, zhinanzhe) used for fengshui (geomancy); covered with beautiful Chinese characters and symbols; beautiful patina with usual wear and tear, L: 9,5 cms, W: 4,5 cms.
It works fine; don't forget that in China, the red pointer indicates the South.

Beautiful and tall glove puppet ; every part is ancient, the head being the oldest part, at least 19thC.
H. of the puppet : 45 cms, H. of the head ( to the base of the neck): 11 cms, W. of the head : 5 cms . South of China.

Big "Tunkou" of Kaishan, he who "Opens the mountain", clears it; God of mountains with a terrifying face (horns, fangs) who leads the procession during the ceremony organised for the clearing of a new field or building of a new rice field; his fierce face is intended to repulse the bad spirits (and the dangerous wild animals?).
Tunkou or "Mouth who swallows" the demons, the bad spirits; terrifying mask for hanging on the Nuo temple's door or above the main altar...

Jade toggle of a boy holding a lingzhi fungus, symbol of longevity. Protective and lucky charm.
Light green jade (he tian bai yu). Beautiful patina, perfect condition. H: 4 cms. Qing, 19th C. TCT 196 (see Bibliography)

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.

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

Beautiful antique Chinese leather pair of armchairs for shadow puppet's theaters ; floral designs and bats. 12x16 cms each. Shaanxi, 19th C.

One very humorous horses's head and 3 buffoon's heads.
Made of buffalo leather, Shanxi area.
Height: Horse MAH-C-TA1: 7 cms Buffoons: MAH-C-TB2: 6 cms; MAH-C-TB4: 9,5 cms; MAH-C-TB6: 9 cms .
Can be bought one by one of course.

Hardwood Nuo mask, big and heavy, representing an unidentified character with a very serene expression. Coat of red lacquering on plaster, long gone around mouth and nose (the red color is generally used to indicate courage, loyalty and devotion).
Very good condition (a few little chips on the back along the edge), very nice inside patina; 26x17 cms. Beginning of 19th C, Hunan. (see bibliography)

Nuo mask of the Fish Eater; extremely rare character; good condition; remnants of pigments, backside scratched (for ritual purpose ?). 26x14 cms. 19th C (see bibliography)

Very old Nuo mask of Bao Gong, Judge Bao, wearing his characteristic and beautiful hat with a kind of knot. Judge Bao is an historical character who lived during the Song dynasty and became the model of justice and integrity...