Unusual antique Tibetan gau ghao (gao). Used as a portable shrine that hangs around the neck, a gao is usually a box filled with prayers written on cloth around a central deity visible through a window. This gao is flat but it is similar to the traditional gao in that it has a central deity and a window cut out of leather...

Mystical Dzi beads have been implements of ancient Tibetan culture for thousands of years. They are believed to hold magical properties bringing prosperity and protection. They are also thought to hold medicinal properties and so can be characterized by the "dig marks" left over the surface of the bead where a small portion has been scraped away to be ingested. This Dzi bead has a pattern of 8 white circles, or "heavenly eyes", considered one of the most sought after characteristics...

Mystical Dzi beads have been implements of ancient Tibetan culture for thousands of years. They are believed to hold magical properties bringing prosperity and protection. They are also thought to hold medicinal properties and so can be characterized by the "dig marks" left over the surface of the bead where a small portion has been scraped away to be ingested...

Antique Tibetan damaru, double skull drum traditionally for tantric ceremonies and meditation. Made in the joining of a male and a female cranium inside of which is usually inscribed with the corresponding male or female mantra. In this case, the two sides are attached with ornate silver repouse bands of scrolling vines and Buddhist symbols. In the center, a handle is attached to a band of silver that is inlaid with turquoise and coral and fitted with two drum beaters on the end of chords...

Antique Tibetan tall bronze butter lamp for a Buddhist altar. Traditionally, the butter lamp would burn ghee. The light of the flame of the butter lamp represents the "wisdom of the awakened mind" and helps to "dispel the darkness of delusion". Most Tibetan household and temple altar displays include a butter lamp. This tall lamp resembles a multi tiered lotus blossom with decorative granulation on the edges...

Antique Tibetan vajrakila phurba, a Buddhist sacred dagger "believed to be capable of transmuting vice and egocentrism into benevolent compassion. According to legend, Padmasambava introduced the magic dagger to Tibet to subdue forces hostile to Buddhism." (Bonhams Auction Tues. June 28, 2016 page.14.) Made of iron and copper alloy.

18th/19th century

Size: 8 1/8" long.

Small antique Tibetan bronze cup. Intended for holding water in a Buddhist shrine. Made of bronze and shaped in the form of a lotus with petals starting in a gardroon and ending in a scalloped edge just below a ring around a smooth rim.

17th century

Dimensions: 2" high

Tantra Art and Tantra Asana. Two first edition volumes. 1966/7 and 1971. Excellent condition with no owners inscriptions, dust jackets a little scuffed. Can be viewed in Central Lonon and shipped world wide.

A 9 layer Sri Cakra Yantra 31x31 cm 7.5 cm high. Metalic paint on wooden base. One of the protruding arms missing. repairs on reverse. Undated. Can be viewed in central London and shipped worldwide

This antique sutra book is from Tibet... more pages than I want to count, original paper, writings and covers... size 6 inches x 2 x 1.5

Small Indian Jain bronze depicting the seated figure of Vishnu with Lakshmi seated on his left knee. Lakshmi, the inseparable energy of Vishnu, sits with her right arm around Vishnu's waist. Below him on the rectangular platform is the tiny figure of his vehicle Garuda, identifiable by his tiny but unmistakable wings. Two other smaller figures hold up each of Vishnu's knees.

19th century

Dimensions: 3 1/2" high x 2" wide x 1 1/2" deep

A copper "gau" prayer box, the lid with chased Kalachakra mantra. Inside a fine "tsakli" painting on canvas in colors and gold, depicting the deity "Green Tara", sitting on a lotus throne. The fitted tsakli is removable and with no inscription on the backside. Condition: painting little rubbed, gau interior with some verdigris. Dimension: gau: 9.5 x 11.3 x 3.2 cm, height tsakli: c. 8.5 cm.

Tibetan altar table made of heavy wood, painted with a three faced and six armed Boddhisattva, the sides decorated with skulls and vajras. Condition: some traces of usage, some losses to paint. Please look at pictures carefully, they make part of the condition report. Dimension: 27.8 cm x 28.5 cm x 6.3 cm, weight: 1005 g.

A gilt bronze figure of Heruka with fierce rolling tongue expression, holding a chopper and skull cup. The deity stands in a warrior's pose with right knee up and pivoting. The flowing drapery suggests movement and dance rituals. The figure is mounted on a bronze base.

Heruka is the name of a category of wrathful deities in Vajrayana Buddhism. These enlightened beings adopt a fierce countenance to benefit sentient beings. In East Asia, they are called Wisdom Kings...

Fine Tibetan "damaru" (ritual drum), made of silver and leather. The silver part is in the form of two "kapala shaped" parts, separated by a central silver belt, decorated with several turquoise and coral inserts, to which the handle is attached. This silver part is lavishly decorated with an embossed relief design representing foliage and Buddhist symbols. The leather part is painted in green. Two cotton cords, ending in two small balls are also attached to the drum to strike it...

Staff carved out of one piece of a hard species of wood. On the top crouches a female figure with long hair, the arms wrapped around her body. The tip is a lighter middle brown while the rest is patinated a dark brown. Probably used in Shamanistic rites in tribal regions. Himalayans.
Length 16.5 inches (42.5 cm).
Some cracks and chips, nice patina.

Shamanic mask, with minimalist features, probably representing a demon. Wood, with fine dark brown glossy patina. Nepal, mid 20th century. Height: 28 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Very good condition.

"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.