One prominent Buddhist story tells of Avalokiteshvara vowing never to rest until he had freed all sentient beings from Samsara. Despite strenuous effort, he realizes that still many unhappy beings were yet to be saved. After struggling to comprehend the needs of so many, his head splits into 11 pieces. Amitabha, seeing his plight, gives him 11 heads with which to hear the cries of the suffering...

Ancient well-carved head of Lord Bhairava of wood on a custom stand. Bhairava (Sanskrit: frightful) is a Hindu Tantric deity worshiped by Hindus. Ritually given liquor spirits during ceremonies. In Shaivism, he is a fierce manifestation of Shiva associated with annihilation. Provenance: Spinks London, Handley Collection

Date: 15th C

Dimensions: 33" tall X 17.5" wide with stand, statue alone is 27" tall X 18.5" wide and 5" deep

An incredible Tibetan gilt bronze dynamic figure of Vajrabhairava, the wrathful form Manjushri. In Tibetan: dor je jig je, pa wo chigpa. In English: The Solitary Hero Vajra Terror. Vajrabairava is part of the practice of Yamataka (of the Gelug tradition). In this sculpture, Vajrabairava is locked in tantric embrace with his female counterpart. He has 9 faces, the central face being of a buffalo and the uppermost head that of Manjushri...

Nepalese house protective figure, beautifuly eroded by the elements and time.
Probably Jajarkot region. H : 39 cms. Cf pic.6 (JP Girolami) : Jumla region, chetri house

Antique Tibetan gilt bronze figure of the Bodhisattava, Avalokiteshvara. The Luminous Lord of Infinite Compassion sits in padmasana position with his hands held in front of his chest in the complex dharmachakra mudra. Also called the teaching mudra and "spinning the wheel of the Law", dharmachakra relates the Buddha's teaching in the forest of Sarnath. Avalokiteshvara wears a 5 pointed crown and other princely jewels but also has the long locks of an ascetic...

Antique Tibetan figure of a seated Lohan, one of the 18 arhats of Buddha. He sits with one knee supporting his left hand which is outstretched, holding an object while gesturing in the Karana mudra (dispelling demons). He holds his right hand at chest level. His facial features are intense and his mouth slightly open to reveal rows of small teeth. His hair is cropped short and maintains the remnants of black pigment...

Museum quality and very rare group of three statues representing Indra and his consorts. Indra is sitting in "vajrasana" on a lotus throne, his left hand resting on his knee , his right hand in "vitarka mudra". Indra has his forehead showing the third eye horizontally, and is wearing an elaborate crown, jewels and a "dhoti". A lotus is attached to each shoulder...

Statue of Bodhisattva Sadaksari Lokesvara, the four-armed deity seated in "dhyanasana" on a double lotus throne, his principal arms in prayer posture ("anjali mudra"), the other hands wearing the rosary (""ashamala") on the right side and a lotus of absolute purity on the left side. His head is sumounted by a stylized bust of Buddha Amithaba. The deity is wearing diadem, jewels and dhoti. The statue is made of gilt copper with turquoise and coral inserts. Tibet, 16th century. Height: 13 cm...

A Nepalese wood sculpture of Bhairava and his consort Bhairavi on a custom stand. Bhairava (Sanskrit: frightful) is a Hindu Tantric deity worshiped by Hindus. In Shaivism, he is a fierce manifestation of Shiva associated with annihilation.

Date: 15th / 16th century Provenance: Spinks London 1985, thence Handley Collection

Dimensions:18" tall X 12" wide X 4" deep with stand, sculpture 17" tall X 12" wide X 3.25" deep

Beautiful antique pair of gilt copper repouse snow lions, nice patina and traces of paint especially on the faces, each lion is standing on hind legs and holding conch shells in upraised paws, wonderful detail, Himalayan, 18th/19th century Size of each: 13" high x 14 1/2" wide

Antique Tibetan gilt bronze figure of a standing bodhisattva. He stands squarely on a lotus throne with both hands raised in abhayamudra, the gesture of reassurance as if to say "have no fear". Great care has been paid to the many flowing folds of his robes and his tall crown is embellished with ornate details. The calmness of his facial expression conveys serenity and compassion.

Age: 19th century

Dimensions: 12 1/2" high x 6" wide

Tibetan bronze figure of Tara, goddess of compassion. She is seated on a double lotus base with her right foot extended and resting on a smaller lotus. Her left hand holds the stem of an utpala flower (symbolizing longevity) between her thumb and third finger in Vitarka Mudra or teaching gesture. Her right hand is resting palm up on her knee with just thumb and forefinger touching in Varada Mudra, the gesture of boundless giving. On her right side, blooms a lotus...

A rather rare and fine votive image of gilt bronze depicting the four-armed Manjugosa Bodhisattva, a special Tantric Buddhist form of Manjusri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom. Tibet, 17th cent. H 11 cm. Condition: Very fine gilt, some denting to back and to the sword. Closed base.

A fine portrait-image of Tsongkapa (1357–1419), the founder of the Gelugpa School of Tibetan Buddhism. Brownish bronze alloy with a high content of copper. Tibet, 17th century. H 14 cm. Fully sealed with original closing. Condition: Some rubbing to gold, and sword on the right shoulder missing.

Pair of antique Tibetan snow lions. Made of gilded bronze with polychrome details. Wild, open mouthed expressions and paws over heads. These lions were once part of a Buddhist display. Snow lions are thought to be the king of beasts to the Tibetan people. They personify joy and bliss and represent the hermits and yogis that live in the Himalayas...

Finely cast statue of Green Tara, of typical Newari style, wearing diadem and dhoti, sitting on a double lotus throne, a lotus flower on each shoulder, her left hand in "vitarka mudra", her right hand in "varada mudra", her right foot resting on a lotus flower protruding from the throne. Gilt bronze. Nepal, late Malla period, 16th century. Height: 8.3 cm. Gilding partly missing on some areas, otherwise very good condition.

Finely cast statue of Bodhidsattva Vajradhara, of typical Newari style, wearing diadem, necklace and dhoti, sitting on a double lotus throne,hands crossed on his breast, his left hand holding the bell, his right hand holding the vajra. Gilt bronze. Nepal, late Malla period, 16th century. Height: 7.2 cm. Gilding partly missing on some areas, otherwise very good condition.

A very attractive votive image of Akshobya Buddha in fire gilt bronze. He is seated on a fairly high, lotus throne. The hem of his robes are accentuated with raised lines made as strings of pearls with the lower parts decorated w. incised patterns. The robe covering the left arm is open underneath and the rim of the seat has large pearls in accordance with 15th century stylistic features for Central Tibetan bronze images of Buddha. Remains of cold gilding on the face and blue pigments on the ch...