Shaman's bracelet used during rituals meant to favor crops. Tha bracelet is decorated with two stylised men, each standing behind a plough drawn by two oxen. The rest of the decor consists in stylised plants and a circle (the sun?). The bracelet is made of bronze, with a beautiful patina. Himalayan Region, early 19th century, probably earlier. Inside diameter: around 8 cm. Very good condition. A very rare piece.

One point vajra, which belonged to a lower rank Buddhist lama. Bronze, with two old textile wrappings to protect fingers against the power of the thunderbolt. Tibet, early 19th century. Length: 21.5 cm. Abrasion due to great age, otherwise very good condition.

Antique Himalayan ritual dagger, phurba, carved of bone with skulls, makara and nagas. Phurba usually have three sides while this one is unusual in that it has two. The purpose of the phurba is it's ritual use to subdue the powers of evil and transform them into positive forces. The various elements of the phurba are symbolic - the lower part (or blade) represents "Method" and the handle represents "Wisdom"...

Antique Himalayan lidded box for Buddhist ritual use. Cylindrical form with four feet. Decorated with mixed metal inlay of silver and copper. The sides with a central band of heads and skulls. The lid with double vajra motif and an outer band of intricately inlaid silver coils.

Age: 18th century

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

Antique Tibetan kangling, a trumpet made for use in Buddhist chöd rituals and funerals. The kangling was played by the practitioner as an act of fearlessness and compassion, drawing out the hungry spirits so that they may have their suffering relieved. Kangling, which literally translates as "leg flute", were traditionally made of either a human tibia or femur and preferably that of a criminal or someone who died a violent death. The leg bone of a respected teacher was also acceptable...

Tibetan antique set of 3 heads from a khatvanga ritual staff. The Tantric (esoteric) Buddhist ceremonial staff would have been held by an advanced practitioner during ceremonies and was a sacred object assisting in the rule over subtle bodies of energy. The three human heads (fresh, dried and bare skull), which once adorned the top of the staff in a stacked position, represent the 3 poisons of lust, hate and delusion...

Antique Nepalese Hindu priest's bronze bangle bracelet. Made with intricate and highly raised Shiva symbols and animals.

Age: 19th century

Dimensions: 4" wide diameter

"Khatvanga", a ritual object used during Tantric ceremonies, decorated with a crowned Citipati on its top, and incised geometric designs. Iron, with four inlaid bronze rings along the shaft. Tibet, early 20th century. Height: 23 cm. Strong oxydation, otherwise very good condition.

Large mask representing the face of Mahakala with its typical terrifying expression, the features being carved in relief and the mouth in openwork showing teeth . At the top of the back of the head a small cylinder has been carved on a small platform. This cylinder was meant to contain a horse hair (often of white coulour), to decorate the mask. Wood, with obvious signs of great age and remains of woodworm attack (no more danger). Old accidents and old and local restorations on top of mask...

Tibetan Himalayan Brass Ghee Butter Lamp, 3 3/4" high, 3 3/8" diameter-top, 2 1/4" diameter-bottom, purchased in Lhasa 1985, it is in good condition

Tibetan Himalayan Buddhist Copper and Brass Prayer Wheel, 12" high, 3" wide, raised Brass Tibetan Character, Script paper roll is inside the top, Bamboo handle with shell disc in the middle to support the drum, at the end of Bamboo handle has silver cap which is damaged.

Tibetan Himalayan Copper and Brass with Bamboo Handle Prayer Wheel supported by round Shell disc, 15" high, 3" wide, script paper inside the drum. Purchased in Lhasa 1990, kept in the private collection in US since that time. The condition is good.

Tibetan Himalayan Buddhist Prayer Wheel with Copper and Brass, 10 1/2" high, 2" wide, Tibetan Characters on Copper drum shape wheel, with Bamboo handle supported by Shell Disc, Script Paper is inside the drum, the condition is good. Purchased in Lhasa 1990 by private collector in US.

Tibetan Himalayan Buddhist Copper and Brass Prayer Wheel, with Bamboo handle supported by round Shell Disc, 17" high, 3 1/4" wide, Paper Scrip is inside the drum, copper cap wrapped around the tip of Bamboo handle at the end of the handle, the condition is good. This piece was in the private collection since 1990, purchased in Lhasa during their trip.

Antique Tibetan pair of offering bowls. Each bowl is carved of burl wood and has an ornate silver foot decorated with cabochons of coral and turquoise. The silver bottom of each bowl is incised with a scene of mother and baby fu lions. The bowls have interiors that have been lined and edged with silver.

Age: 19th century

Dimensions of each: 2 1/2" high x 6 1/4" wide

Antique Himalayan tsha tsha (small votive plaque) depicting a red bodhisattva seated on a lotus throne. Tsha Tsha were cast of clay mixed with ground incense and sacred ash. They were dried in the sun and painted with polychrome pigments. Small votives like this one were left as offerings at spiritual sites along a pilgrim's route.

Age: 18th century

Dimensions: 3 3/4" high x 3 1/8" wide x 1 3/8" deep

Antique Himalayan tsha tsha (small votive plaque) depicting White Tara seated on a lotus throne. White Tara (the Mother of all Buddhas) is worshipped as the embodiment of the maternal aspect of compassion. Her seven eyes allow her to see all suffering.
Tsha Tsha were cast of clay mixed with ground incense and sacred ash. They were dried in the sun and painted with polychrome pigments. Small votives like this one were left as offerings at spiritual sites along a pilgrim's route...

Rare plate decorated with a relief design representing two intertwined Citipati dancing together on a lotus. Gilt copper, fine patina. Tibet, 19th century. Height: 39.4 cm. Very good condition.