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.

Vintage brass “puja kalash” water or milk container used in ritual Hindu ceremonies from Southern India, H: 13cm/5.1in x D: 12cm/4.8in. Very finely turned in a simple but elegant shape and quite heavy, near 1kg- and signed (noted in enlargements), appears to be unused but with some patina- made circa mid 20th century.

Himalayan boxwood carved flaming scepter used as a ritual object with pointed end. Well-patinated Shamanic usage.

Ashby Collection, LA
18 1/4" L x 2 1/2" W x 1 1/4" D
Circa 1900s, turn of century

3 hand carved wooden masks. Himalayan. Bhutan. Largest 30 cm top to bottom. Good condition and patina. Undated, estimated to be 20th century or earlier. Can be viewed in central London and shipped worldwide.

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...

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 tall yak butter lamp. Made of hand hammered copper with gilt bronze applied details depicting Buddhist auspicious symbols. The butter would have melted and burned for a measured amount of time depending on the size and the amount in the lamp. A small hole in the bottom of the cup would have held a sort of wick to provide a long lasting light. Overall repouse details are in great detail. Original patina...

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 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"...

Citipati mask made of gilt embossed copper. Tibet, early 19th century. Height: 18.7 cm. Width: 22.2 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Obvious signs of age, otherwise good condition.

Head of Citipati, made of embossed bronze with gilding on the front and red painting to enhance the eyes. Fine green patina in the recesses and on the back. The head is pierced on its top and lower side to allow not to be worn on a necklace that was used by a Tibetan lama or oracle particularly during the Cham ceremonies and dances. Tibet, early 19th century. Height: 7.5 cm. Very good condition.

An unusual model of Phurba in lost wax cast bronze and gilded with mercury. Iron blade. The handle is made up of a whole bust of the deity and not just a head as we can usually find it. Known models with busts are extremely rare, there are 2 or 3 in the museums of Delhi. Examination shows us that it is not a montage from a cut statuette but that the bust was cast especially for this Phurba. The lower part of the skull necklace was broken and lost; it was replaced...

The phurba is one of the most important of the shaman's implements, and this particular phurba is an exceptional example of the great effort and tremendous creativity that goes into the making of this magical tool. It has an upper section with 3 faces, one smiling, one wrathful, and one peaceful. The middle section is a vajra (symbol of lightning) whose twin tips rest on knots of eternity...

DESCRIPTION: An antique hand-painted ceremonial drum with vivid motifs of large flowers with curling green tendrils against a red ground. Both ends of the drum are covered in animal hide and secured with round-headed metal studs. This highly decorative drum makes a perfect little end table, or adds a touch of exotic to any décor. Very good condition with minor rubbing in spots. DIMENSIONS: 16 5/8” high (42.2 cm) x 15 5/8” diameter (39.6 cm).

Copper kapala with vajra top handle cover lid, its skull base with design of outlines and seams on outer body. Resting on copper triangular stand with three detachable skulls and foliate design in bas relief on body.

Provenance: Lama Les of the Orgyen Dorje Den Tibetan Buddhist Temple.

20th century

Dimensions: 7" x 5 1/2" x 9 1/2" H

A contemporary but very attractive Tibetan ewer, crafted of thin, hand-worked sheets of white metal that appear to be some type of nickel/aluminum amalgam, decorated with deep repousse and chasing techniques forming the decorative bands along the shoulder, neck, lid, and upper base of vessel, with well-formed makara shaped spout and handle, all atop a splayed footed base...

A Tibetan Copper Tea Pot of plain form, the spout with a silver and turquoise mount. Tibet 18/19thC. Height: 3 1/4"

Though the traditional practice of Tibetan "sky burial" is well known. But in some areas of Tibet the Buddhist practice of cremation is also used for some individuals, and The ashes are placed in a box made specifically for that purpose. This cremation box dates to the 18th century and has carved line decoration on the sides... It is made so that the top is keyed to the bottom and slides open from one end...