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...

Beautiful antique Tibetan gilt bronze and copper repouse statue of the bodhisatva Avalokeieshvara, modeled with multiple heads protruding from the top of head, and countless arms in a circular nimbus edged with flames, holding prayer beads, a lotus, a conch shell and other attributes, beautifully modeled features, 19th century. Size: 18 1/2" high x 14" wide x 5" deep.

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 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

Antique Tibetan wooden sutra cover, carved with 58 seated bodhisattvas on the front, gilded and painted with details. The interior side of the cover is lacquered red and painted with 64 seated bodhisattvas. Each figure is seated and with different mudras. The left side edge of the cover, is deeply carved with the head of a guardian demon flanked by scrolling vines...

Antique Tibetan horse saddle. Made of wood and decorated with red lacquer flowers and scrolling vines on a black lacquer ground. Horse riding on in Tibet is especially popular on the plateau of Western Tibet where the Kampa horsemen have held traditional horse races and festivals for generations. This saddle comes with a custom metal stand.

Age: 19th century

Dimensions: 10" high x 18" long x 14 1/2" wide (17" high on stand)

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...

Beautiful Tibetan mandala thangka painting, buddhas and bodhisatvas appear around the central mandala form, stylized archways lead to a central square in which more buddhas are seated, the back ground is a pure land with a range of white mountains. 19th century. Size of art: 21 1/2" high x 15 1/2" wide Total size of thangka: 31" high x 22" wide

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

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...

Antique Tibetan silver incense burner in three pieces. Created as a smaller version of a kapala (skull cup) ritual vessel for Buddhist ceremonies. The censor seats into a triangular base covered with designs of swirling mist and Sanskrit symbols. The lid is similarly decorated and has a vajra finial.

Age: 19th century

Dimensions: 7 3/4" high x 4 1/4" wide x 4 1/2" wide

Tibetan antique silver tripod censer. Rounded form with pierced lid. The lid has a simple incised detail around a decorative finial.

18th/19th century

Dimensions: 5 1/8" high x 3 1/2" wide.

Antique Tibetan small bronze votive cup for use on a Buddhist altar to make offerings to various deities. There are 8 auspicious items traditionally offered: water to drink, water to wash, flowers, incense, light (an oil lamp or candle), perfume, celestial food, and music (usually a conch shell). This bronze cup stands on a small round foot and has a deep, rich patina...

Antique Tibetan Buddhist small reliquary in stupa form. Carved of quartz crystal in two sections with traces of gold leaf, this votive offering would have once been housed in a larger container and placed at the foot of an architectural stupa acting as either a funeral mound or housing relics of an important person. The shape, with it's rounded body and terraced lid, imitates the larger stupa, a three dimensional mandala and symbol of Buddha. With a small wooden collector's box...

Antique pair of kapala, Buddhist ritual skull cups made of silver and mixed metal. Each cup stands on a triangular shaped base with repoussé flames and skulls. The cups themselves are rimmed with rows of tiny skulls and have lids with vajra finials. Show ritual use.

Age: c19thc/early 20thc

Dimensions: 4 3/4" high x 3 3/4" wide

Antique Tibetan Buddhist small reliquary in stupa form. Made of glass and covered with gold leaf, this votive offering would have once been housed in a larger container and placed at the foot of an architectural stupa acting as either a funeral mound or housing relics of an important person. The shape, with it's rounded body and terraced lid, imitate the larger stupa, a three dimensional mandala and symbol of Buddha.

Age:17th/18th century

Dimensions: 3 1/2" high

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...