Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Indian Subcontinent: India (77)

Antique Indian miniature painting of ladies in a harem. The wife or woman of highest stature is waited on by three lovely ladies. All four of the women are clothed in ornate textiles and with fine jewelry. The seated lady is being served wine in a small gold cup. Painted in gouache and gold on paper. Dates from the 18th/19th century.

Dimensions: 5 3/8" high x 3 1/2" wide

Antique Indian miniature painting of a scene with two beautiful ladies in a courtyard. It appears that the ladies picnic has been disturbed by the antics of a cat and bird. At their feet is a spread of fruit and wine. Also a small cage. One could imagine a scene where the bird has escaped and is being chased by the cat. The women pursue the cat and the escaped bird. White doves fly in the blue sky above the walls of the inner courtyard. Painted in gouache on paper...

Antique Indian miniature painting of Shrinathji, the 7-year-old manifestation of Krishna. He stands on a small platform with an umbrella over his head. A married couple offers food and drink. The architecture of the house is wealthy with intricately painted details. In the distance, clouds form. Undoubtedly this is a scene from one of Krishna's many stories...

Antique Indian Kangra School miniature painting of Annapoorani Amman. A scene where Annapurna (the goddess of Nourishment and a manifestation of Parvati) seated on a throne, gives food to her consort, Shiva. The story goes that Shiva challenged the need for all materialistic things including food. Parvati, in order to prove to Shiva that food was essential (especially to his followers) disappeared, creating a state of famine. Humans and gods suffered...

An antique Indian miniature panting of a noble man and woman in a courtyard. Two beauties wait on them. The woman is seated on a cushion on the porch of a pavilion. On the other side of the courtyard wall, birds fly over a lush garden. Other buildings can be seen on a hillside in the distance. In the foreground, a camel rests by a flowing fountain...

An antique Indian miniature panting of a noble man with his harem. Five beauties vie for his attention. Two musicians play music in the foreground. In the background is the architecture of elaborate archways and doors which lead to the inner courtyard. The edges of the paper are decorated with sprays of flowers.
Wealthy residences had a protected area where all the women of the house lived. This scene takes place just inside the antahpur (inner courtyard) of such an area...

An antique Indian miniature panting of harem musicians. Three beauties sit on an ornately decorated carpet and pillows. Two of them play instruments while a third claps in time. Around them is a lush garden with birds and a fountain. In the background, a marble pavilion stands with an ornate red and gold canopy. Wealthy residences had a protected area where all the women of the house lived. This scene takes place in the antahpur (inner courtyard) of such an area...

Antique Indian bronze sculpture of the elephant headed Hindu god Ganesha, known as the Remover of Obstacles...

Antique Indian jeweled tassel. Suspend from a Chinese hardwood display stand, this Indian tassel is woven with gold, threaded with pearls and ends with a umbrella form over a tiny bell - all set with pearls, emeralds, rubies and diamonds in 18k gold.

Age: Mughal Empire (1526-1857) circa 18th/19th century

Dimensions: Tassel size: 4 1/4" high x 1 1/4" wide. Size including display stand: 7 3/4" high x 4 3/8" wide x 3" deep

Antique Indian miniature panting of a harem scene. Wealthy residences had a protected area where all the women of the house lived. This scene takes place in the antahpur (inner courtyard) of such an area. A wealthy prince is entertained by three beauties. Around them is a lush garden with a fountain and a marble pavilion. Richly painted in gouache, ink and gold on paper. Framed.

Provenance: Ed Hardy Estate

Age: Mughal Empire (circa 18th century)

Dimensions: Size...

A pair of antique Rajasthan architectural fragments of warriors on horseback against foot soldiers. Hardwood mounted to a removable stand. Some loss to the carvings.

Age: 18th C

Approximate Dimensions Each: 9" Wide by 17" High by 4 1/2" Deep

Antique Indian carved wooden doors. Made of heavy hardwood and ornately carved with rosettes and scrolling vines. The upper portion has a window made of two hinged carved panels. The lower portion is decorated with a series of three-dimensional roundels.

Age: 19th century

Dimensions: 77 1/2" high (79 1/2" high with dowels) x 43" wide

Antique Indian necklace of 19 large silver beads. Strung on twine with a large amber bead for closure. Each bead is subtly fluted, collared and has rich patination.

Age: circa 1900

Dimensions: 17" long (each bead is 1 3/8" long)

Antique Indian Bindriware lidded container. Made of iron with fine gold inlaid designs of scrolling vines and flowers. A rounded body sits on a high foot with a round base. Two handles on either side continue the scrolling floral pattern. This type of metal work originates from the area of Bindar, India and has long been valued as a symbol of wealth.

Age: circa 1880

Dimensions: 6 1/4" high x 7" long x 5" wide

Antique Indian Bindriware vase. Made of bronze with silver overlay and incised designs of scrolling vines and flowers. This type of metal work originates from the area of Bindar, India and has long been valued as a symbol of wealth.

Age: 19th century

Dimensions: 10 3/4" high x 5 1/4" wide

Antique Indian miniature painting of Adharanishvara, the combination of the God Shiva and his consort Parvati in one body. The half male, half female represents the union of opposites, the universal principles: masculine, Purusha and feminine, Prakriti. In this painting, Parvati is easily identified by her beauty and crown. Shiva is identified by the snake the encircle both their neck, his tiger cloth, and his long hair which is secured on top of his head. As traditional, the couple...

Antique Indian miniature painting of Radha and Krishna in the garden. Best known for their love to each other, the God Krishna and his true love, the Goddess Radha are two of the most adored deities in Hinduism. While strolling the hills, Krishna often played his flute for the grazing cows. A young and beautiful gopi (caretaker of cows) heard his flute and the two fell in love. In this painting we see the young couple flanked on either side by two attendant girls. In the background is the...

Antique Indian painting of two men riding on the back of a camel. Beautiful detail work in their garments and hair. The quick gait of the camel is conveyed in it's wide steps and the backward motion of the tassels and drapery. Painted in gouache pigments on paper. Framed.

Age: 18th/ 19th century

Dimensions: Art: 9 3/8" high x 9 5/8" wide. Frame: 18 3/8" high x 18 3/8" wide.

Antique Indo-Persian miniature painting depicting a hunting scene. A party of three men on horses gives chase to a herd of deer while two others stand by with spears. In the background a river wends it's way through hills covered in low trees and flowers. Painted in gauche colors. Framed.

Age: circa 1800-1850

Dimensions: Total size with frame 13 1/8" high x 10 3/8" wide. Art only 7 1/2" high x 4 1/2" wide

Antique Indo-Persian miniature painting depicting a hunting scene. A party of four men with swords on horses gives chase to a herd of deer. In the background, another man with a spear rides an elephant. Intricate details of rocks and flowers. Painted in gauche colors with sky of gold. Framed.

Age: circa 1800-1850

Dimensions: Total size with frame 18 3/4" high x 18 3/4" wide. Art only 9 1/4" high x 4 1/2" wide

Antique Indian gilt copper repouse plaque depicting many scenes from the life of Buddha. Starting just before his birth (upper left hand side) with the white elephant that descends from heaven with the buddha and enters Maya between her ribs as she sleeps. Moving to the upper left corner, we see the miraculous birth of Maya's fully formed baby out of her side. She is depicted holding onto a tree branch during birth like a yakshi tree spirit. Her baby boy walks at birth and out of each step ...

Antique Indian bronze figure of Ganesha. Seated on a lotus throne, he holds his prayer beads and ax in two of his four hands. He holds up one hand in abhaya mudra while he feeds himself sweets with the other. His mouse vahana (vehicle) looks up at him from the right side of his throne. According to legend, Ganesha was created from mud by the goddess Parvati in order to guard her while she bathed. Upon returning home from meditation, Parvati's husband, Shiva was furious to find his path b...

Antique Indian carved figure of Ganesha, the elephant headed Hindu deity known as the Remover of Obstacles. Carved of soapstone and with traces of pigment. Ganesha sits on a bench with one leg up. His gently curling trunk rests on his large round belly. According to legend, Ganesha was created from mud by the goddess Parvati in order to guard her while she bathed. Upon returning home from meditation, Parvati's husband, Shiva was furious to find his path blocked by Parvati's mud guardia...

Antique Indian figure of dancing Ganesha. Carved of stone, possibly serpentine. Ganesha, the Remover of Obstacles stands on one foot with knees bent as he dances. In one hand he holds a string of prayer beads and in the other, a club. By his right hand is his vehicle (vahana), a mouse. Ganesha is the beloved child of Shiva and Parvati.

Age: 19th century

Dimensions: 8" high x 4 1/2" wide x 1 1/2" deep

Antique Indian Mughal miniature painting of a court princess, holding a child's crown on a small, round tray. She is draped in shear yellow robes with red salwar and she is bedecked with jewels. Her long black hair flows down her back. Here beautiful face has a slight smile. Behind her are tall plants flowering yellow and white. This court painting was probably once an album leaf from an illuminated text. Gouache on paper.

Age: 19th century

Dimensions: 10 1/4" high x ...

Antique Indian Mughal album leaf miniature painting most likely of the Emperor Jahangir on horseback. A halo and bejeweled crown imply his Imperial rank. Jahangir was ambitious about taking over the reign of his father, Akbar the Great, and the two were at odds until reconciling later in life. Akbar was a patron of the arts and it was he who brought together the Indian and Persian artists who defined the genre of Mughal miniature painting. Here, Emperor Jahangir sits astride an elaboratel...

Antique Indian Mughal album leaf miniature painting of a prince with tiger. He stands adorned in sumptuous clothing, intricately embroidered with tiny florals. A blue halo and bejeweled crown imply his Imperial rank. He holds a small pink blossom. This is most likely a portrait of the Emperor Jahangir, son of Akbar the Great. Beside him sits a tiger, emphasizing the Emperor's power and wealth as well as an appreciation of the beauty of nature often found in Mughal art. Along the top of the...

Indian wedding palanquin for a bride. Made of a hardwood, possibly padauk, carved with florets and accented with iron details. The domed roof is constructed with a latticework. Doors and window openings are carved to mimic the architecture of a garden courtyard adding to the overall feminine quality of the palanquin.

Palanquins were the most popular means of transportation in British India prior to the introduction of horse-drawn vehicles and the railroad. The bridal palanquin is...

Antique Indian Grey Schist Stone Stele Carving of Lord Vishnu and Consort Laksmi. Beautifully rendered in bas relief. Dieties in various poses.

Hoffman estate

Size: 15.25"L x 13.25"H x 4"D Stand overall 17"L x 4"H x 7"D

Date: 10-11th century

Antique India hardwood carving of a mythical bird with a hooked beak, hardhat head, pinecone body and tail feathers pointed down. Xanabu Collection
Dates 19th/20th Century
Size H 18 1/2" x W 17" x D 9"

Indian Wood Stele of Indra and Consort seated in 'royal ease' on lotus throne under the crest of the flaming Kirtimukha lion-torso figure with arms outstretched. Wondrously carved, standing attendants at each side. Worn with devotional usage. Traces of old pigment. Pair of recumbent elephants and deity at base.

Handley Collection, purchased Sotheby's March 1988

circa 1700s Size: 23"H x 13" W x 5" D

Indian stone bust of Brahma with three heads, Central India. Crowned headdress with raiment of a royal being. Light grey stone, benevolent countenance.
Brahma known as the creator god in Hinduism. He is also a consort of Saraswati and he is the father of Four Kumaras, Narada, Daksha, Marich, along with many more.

Several Puranas describe him as emerging from a lotus, connected to the navel of Lord Vishnu. Other Puranas suggest that he is born from Shiva or his aspects, or ...

Indian Himalayan Copper Yoni Lingam ceremonial vessel for Holy water, Dates from the 17th - 18th century. Forged from hand hammered copper, a tier-shaped vessel with a navel on the interior. Placed on stand, the vessel has a dramatic sculptural presence with a patina showing its use and age. The Yoni (vulva) is the symbol of the Hindu God Shakti.

Dates 17th-18th Century

Size H 16" x W 8" x D 2.5" without base

A rare Jain Indian sandstone Stele with carved image of the 11 Jain disciples from the Gujarat or Rajasthan regions. Seated figures of Jain teachers are always sculpted with hands folded in meditation. Thie central Mahavira Swami has an auspicious diamond-shaped mark on his chest. The Swami is seated on a lotus with a halo above his head. Underneath the Swami are two mythological lions. Provenance: Purchased from Spink Brothers, London by Handley Estate.

Date: 11th-12th C

...

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"

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. The faces are wo...