Catalog (437)

"Vajra" is a Sanskrit word meaning both thunderbolt and diamond. Additionally, it is a weapon won in battle which is used as a ritual object to symbolize both the properties of a diamond (indestructibility) and a thunderbolt (irresistible force). The vajra is essentially a type of club with a ribbed spherical head. The ribs may meet in a ball shaped top, or they may be separate and end in sharp points with which to stab. The vajra is a weapon of the Vedic rain and thunder deity Indra, and is us...

Archaic bronze lidded ritual food vessel on three legs (Ding). The body is round in form and divided into banded areas of detailed interlocking cloud and thunder motif. The band closest to the rim curves inward before flanging out again. There are two animal headed looped handles cast on either side. The three feet are squat and curved with cast details like those on the handles. The lid is similarly divided into banded areas to match the body. There are four rings and a central handle tha...

Chinese bronze 3 piece figure of a donkey and rider. The old man rider holds a scepter in his hands. His hat may be removed and incense placed inside his head, so the smoke would billow out from the front. On hardwood display stand with scroll legs.

Early 20th Century

Dimensions: 10" L x 5" D x 13" H (14.5" H w/ stand)

Antique pair of Japanese shokudai (candle stands), made of bronze. Beautiful simple design with faceted stem and small chrysanthemum shaped detail where stick meets base. Each stand has a little hook and circular candle guard.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 17 1/4" high x 8" wide

Large Indian bronze sculpture of Shiva Nataraja, Lord of the Dance. This form of Shiva demonstrates his most dynamic aspect: that of Shiva the Creator, Shiva the Preserver,and Shiva the Destroyer all combined in a dance which makes up the cycle of time. Each of Shiva's four hands show important clues as to his distinct importance: one hand holds the drum which makes the first sound of creation and one the flame of universal destruction. One hand is held in abhayamudra, the gesture that say...

Antique Japanese bronze vase, with two swimming koi fish in high relief. Hand-signed by the artist on its side. Given as a gift in 1964 with special commemorative inscription on foot.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions : 9" x 9" x 15" H

Antique Chinese bronze tripod censer, with lions' heads for handles and beautiful hand-scribed calligraphy on its front over a textured ground. The four characters on the bronze read "to keep and appreciate forever". The signature is dated the ninth year of Guangxu (1884). Some family members dedicated this to their deceased ancestor's 70th birthday. The first two characters are the name of an island in a fairy tale, inhabited by immortals. The last two characters mean "love spring". It also has...

Japanese silk kimono with shibori style ground, motifs of coins with peonies, kiri leaves, pine trees, and other floral elements against geometric patterns. Splashes of pink add a touch of feminine color to the kimono.

Size: 49" L x 66" H

Japanese kabuki actor doll, dressed as a fearsome white lion with long, flowing mane, made with real hair. He wears silk garments of bright orange, white and grey, with his face done in traditional cat eye makeup of white, black, and red.

Size: 16.75" x 13.75" x 20.5" H

Vairochana's mudra is the dharmachakra mudra. It is the gesture of teaching which is divided of turning the wheel of the law. (There are many variation of this mudras) One form, Tibetan use is to hold both hands at the level of the heart. The right palm face faces outward and the left palm faces inward. One circle is forming by the thumb and index finger of the right hand and the second circle is formed by the thumb and the index finger of the left hand. The two circles touching at the ti...

Antique Tibetan gilt bronze figure of the Buddhist deity Kubera, lord of wealth, protector of the physical world. He lounges with piles of gold around him. In one hand he holds a mongoose, who is said to spit jewels. The mongoose shows rule over the Naga (malevolent snake people and guardians to vast treasure). Kubera is shown seated on his vehicle, a large beast atop a lotus pod throne.

Size: 19th century

Size: 2.5" W x 1.25" D x 2.5" H

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

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. The five prongs represent the "Five Poisons" w...

Antique Tibetan bronze figure of the Buddhist deity Kubera, lord of wealth, protector of the physical world. He lounges with piles of gold around him. In one hand he holds a mongoose, the enemy of the Naga (malevolent snake people and guardians to vast treasure), and a sweet morsel in his other. This form of Kubera is very well hand-cast with natural wear and patina.

19th Century

Size: 2.5" L x 2" W x 3"H

Antique Tibetan gilt bronze Dakini, with traces of silver, inlay of coral and turquoise. In her hands are a raised kappala (or skull cup) filled with the elixir of life, and a curved blade. She is dancing on top of corpses to show her rule over ignorance and ego. Her lotus pedestal is made of gilt copper.

The Dakini are wrathful female deities often shown nude with long, flowing hair and glowering expression. Their name means "sky dancer" in Sanskrit as they lead the deceased into th...

Tibetan gilt bronze Buddhist deity figures, posed into a tantric Yab-yum ("Father / Mother") position is a common symbol in the Buddhist art in India, Button, Nepal, and Tibet. It represents the primordial union of wisdom and compassion, depicted as a male deity in sexual union with his female consort. Its also a reincarnation image of creation. The male deity figure wears an elaborate crown with inlay of diamonds and pointed finial. He holds in his hands a vajra (mean...

Tibetan gilt bronze Buddhist statue, of a wrathful deity assumed in the tantric Yabyum position with his female consort. Below the pair is a Garuda vehicle, devouring the Naga (snake), while a human figure is crushed underneath. They are all raised on a lotus platform, with mixed metal bottom and floral impression.

Mid 20th century

Size: 12" L x 7.5" D x 13" H

Antique Japanese pair of shakudo bronze vases, with very fine inlay of mixed metal, gold, and silver, design of small birds flying through branches which bear autumn leaves and gold vines with flowers and splashes of red. Finely chased and rendered in low relief creating a natural continuous scene of birds and flowers theme.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 6" diameter x 12 3/4" height