Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Southeast Asian (214)

Antique Balinese Barong mask. The masked figure in Topeng dance dramas represents a protective spirit, a symbol of health and good fortune and is used during dance celebrations. This mask is carved of wood and painted with colors and gold details. Mounted on a metal stand.

Dimensions: 9" high (12 1/2" high on stand) x 7" wide x 5 1/4" deep

Antique Thai/Burmese Sanskrit book fragments, called a "parabaik", which were once majorly used to document societal information through text and drawings. Made from thick sheets of paper, either blackened for text or whitened for colored drawings, which were then glued and folded together. This book fragment has a central black panel, with religious Sanskrit text in gilt, and gilt pigment figures kneeling in prayer on either side...

Antique Tibetan repousse copper hanging ball censer, with iron chain. The depiction is a wrathful deity riding on a Qilin, a chimera with the features of a dragon mixed with a deer, flanked by four smaller deities seated on lotus thrones. One wrathful deity holds a Vajra staff and conch shell, the reverse side deity holds a mace and a Kapala or skull cup containing the elixir of life.

Dimensions: 9" x 9" x 10" (chain 39" long)

Antique Tibetan clay statue of wrathful Dorje Shugden mounted on the back of a white lion with an arch of flames around him, painted in polychrome pigments of green, orange, red, yellow, brown, and gilt. The figure seated atop a lion is standard for the Gelug tradition. This figure / deity is considered mischievous by the Dalai Lama. The sect that worships this type of piece is interestingly not recognized by the Dalai Lama. 19th century Size: 8" H, 6" W

Antique Tibetan long, colorful necklace, comprised of many different shapes of beads of amber, turquoise, coral, Dzi beads and silver.

19th century

Size: 23" total length

Antique Indonesian fine wood carved kris handle. The red/brown hardwood carved as a long-haired seated mythical figure with hands on their knees, with scrolling Cirebon (Cloud) motifs throughout. This imagery is tied to tantric Bhairavist cults. Coiled around the neck looks to be a Naga or serpent. The base of the carving is covered by the metal hilt and stands on an iron base.

The kris or keris is an asymmetrical dagger most strongly associated with the culture of Indonesia...

Antique Tibetan silver statue of Padmasambhava, or Guru Rinpoche, an 8th century Buddhist master in India. He is said to have lead the first Nyingma traditionalist teachings in Tibet, the oldest of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism. He sits on a lotus throne, holding a vajra in his right hand and, in the other, a kapala (skull cup) filled with the elixir of life, the vase of longevity, topped with a small tree to grant wishes...

Antique Indonesian fine wood carved kris handle. The red/brown hardwood carved in an abstract figure with a bird's beak, a mystical being, with scrolling Cirebon (Cloud) motifs throughout. This imagery is tied to tantric Bhairavist cults. The base of the carving is covered by the metal hilt and stands on an iron base.

The kris or keris is an asymmetrical dagger most strongly associated with the culture of Indonesia...

Tibetan thangka painting in reverence to the bodhisattva Avalokitesvara. When he is shown having four arms, he is called Chaturbhuja Avalokitesvara. This is his most commonly depicted form. Chatur + bhuja are the two Sanskrit words that mean 'four arms.' He holds a white peony flower in one raised hand, and a stand of mala beads in his other. He is surrounded by various other bodhisattvas, including Mahakala, his wrathful form, below...

Antique Tibetan bronze double vajra, an important symbol in Vajrayana Buddhism, Hinduism, and Tantra religions. The name vajra means both thunderbolt and diamond, as it is a symbol of brute strength and indestructibility. The double vajra mirrors the outline of a mandala; Its four points represent North, South, East, and West. Its center piece represents the center of the universe with lotus pods blooming outwards to extend the five pronged weapons...

Tibetan thangka painting depicting a wonderful seascape with the Shakyamuni Buddha seated in meditation upon a lotus throne in the clouds near the top of the painting. Two robed figures stand on a large open flower leaf holding offerings to the Buddha. Below them is a floating pink structure with banners topped by Wishing Ball finials. A large man is seated in the center, surrounded by his attendants, and he extends a peach out in reverence to the Buddha...

Antique Tibetan flint carrying pouch (also mechag or chuck muck), made of leather with heavy plaques of silver and gold with inlaid coral front. Motifs of filigree and animals are seen through the silver plating. The backside of the pouch features a central image of a coiling silver dragon. The pouch is suspended by a red leather strap with rivets.

19th century

Dimensions: 5" x 3" x 3" (10.5" from end of strap)

The mystical Dzi beads are implements of ancient Tibetan and other Asian cultures for several hundreds of thousands of years. Dzi beads are believed to hold magical properties bringing prosperity and protection to whomever wore these beads. The butterscotch agate Dzi bead has natural dragon veining, with patterns of 4 white "heavenly eyes" thought to overcome negative forces, clears obstacles, increases merits & longevity, subdue demons. This is an old bead but dating is undetermined...

Antique Tibetan lacquer cabinet, hand-painted in motifs of flowers and foliage surrounding a central auspicious object on each front panel. Its 4 front doors are removable and swing open on rounded pegs. The top surface is slightly flared and has a panel carved with geometric designs below, similar to those seen in each painting.

Early 20th century

Dimensions: 46" L x 19" D x 37.5" H

Antique Tibetan flint carrying pouch (also mechag or chuck muck), made of leather with plaques of repousse silver with inlaid turquoise front medallion. Motifs of filigree are seen through the silver plating with a pair of diving swallows. The backside of the pouch with heavy studs. The top of the pouch is fitted with a ring for suspending from the wearer's belt.

19th century

Dimensions: 5" L x 1 1/2" D x 3 1/2" H

A Sumatran carved burl wood container. The lid is kept securely shut by strung cord with turquoise beads. 19th century

Dimensions: 6 1/2" x 1 1/2" x 5 1/4"

Antique Tibetan flint carrying pouch (also called a mechag or chuck muck), made of leather with repousse silver plaques, inlaid with turquoise and coral front. Motifs of filigree and flora are seen through the silver plating. The leather purse is made to hold a flint piece and some burnable material. The flint is struck against the iron blade, making a spark which is caught in the material. The top is fitted with brass hardware for hanging from a leather strap...

Antique Tibetan bronze "Thokcha" amulet of a conch shell. With small loop to be fastened and worn as jewelry. Natural green patina.

18th Century

Size: 2 1/8" L x 1" W