For some time now, in art-historical expert circles, a painting causes concern. Discovered a good ten years ago in Schwarzach im Pongau ( Province of Salzburg ) it shows a boy at the age of about six years. In spite of partly contrary opinion, everything indicates at the moment that the portrayed child represents Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. This would, as far as is known, be the earliest image of the composer. The Mozart town Salzburg however, is not only happy about it...

Ghandara grey schist frieze of the birth of the Buddha with five figures.

Provenance: Spinks and Son, London 1960s
Handley Collection
4th century 8" H x 10" W x 1 3/4" D

Indian stone bust of Brahma with three heads, Central India. Crowned headdress with raiment of a royal being. Light grey stone, benevolent countenance.
Brahma known as the creator god in Hinduism. He is also a consort of Saraswati and he is the father of Four Kumaras, Narada, Daksha, Marich, along with many more.

Several Puranas describe him as emerging from a lotus, connected to the navel of Lord Vishnu...

Indian Wood Stele of Indra and Consort seated in 'royal ease' on lotus throne under the crest of the flaming Kirtimukha lion-torso figure with arms outstretched. Wondrously carved, standing attendants at each side. Worn with devotional usage. Traces of old pigment. Pair of recumbent elephants and deity at base.

Handley Collection, purchased Sotheby's March 1988

circa 1700s Size: 23"H x 13" W x 5" D

Deity head in hammered bronze. The bronze is very thick, the ears are cast separately and welded. The hair is perfectly chiseled with a lot of elegance. The patina is verdigris and recalls that of ancient Roman bronzes. It is highly probable that this head was buried for several centuries. We were unable to locate it geographically. India, Himalayas, Afghanistan, Swat valley....? The appearance of the metal and its patina would indicate a high period of several centuries...

A rare Jain Indian sandstone Stele with carved image of the 11 Jain disciples from the Gujarat or Rajasthan regions. Seated figures of Jain teachers are always sculpted with hands folded in meditation. Thie central Mahavira Swami has an auspicious diamond-shaped mark on his chest. The Swami is seated on a lotus with a halo above his head. Underneath the Swami are two mythological lions...

Large Indian bronze sculpture of Shiva Nataraja, Lord of the Dance. This form of Shiva demonstrates his most dynamic aspect: that of Shiva the Creator, Shiva the Preserver,and Shiva the Destroyer all combined in a dance which makes up the cycle of time. Each of Shiva's four hands show important clues as to his distinct importance: one hand holds the drum which makes the first sound of creation and one the flame of universal destruction...

Antique Indian carved marble Jain statue of Nandi the Sacred Cow and Child, remnants of colorfully painted details. True original marble artifact. Stunning Piece. Mid 17th century. Size: 13" high x 20" long x 9" deep.

Beautiful 18th century black stone schist of vishnu with four arms. The arms hold a flower, a talisman with a 5 point star, a chile, and one hand is open palm outward with a dot in the middle. There are two attendants, one on either side. It measures 20" tall by 10" wide. Has metal base 4" deep.

Originally, this graceful sculpture may have stood at the doorway of a palace or temple as a warning to all malicious spirits not to enter. The tradition of lions guarding doors and gates is ancient and common to a great variety of cultures, including the Egyptians, Assyrians, Romans, and Chinese. There is a strong Chinese influence in this piece, suggesting open relations between the two cultures.

18th Century - Rajputana, India

Dimensions: 16 1/2" x 5 7/8" x 11 5/8"

Depicting the Jain goddess Ambika. H. 24 cm (excl. stand), W. 18 cm. Very rare and early piece. Condition: see pictures. Comes with a museum quality metal stand. Provenance: private collection Belgium. More pieces will be coming from this collection, mainly in bronze and some in stone. Email me for more info.

Antique Indian small statue of Crowned Ganesh, the Hindu elephant headed deity is the remover of obsticals, seated on a lotus thrown, beautifully worn, 17th/18th century. Size: 12" high x 7 1/2" wide x 3" deep.

Indian Himalayan Copper Yoni Lingam ceremonial vessel for Holy water, Dates from the 17th - 18th century. Forged from hand hammered copper, a tier-shaped vessel with a navel on the interior. Placed on stand, the vessel has a dramatic sculptural presence with a patina showing its use and age. The Yoni (vulva) is the symbol of the Hindu God Shakti.

Dates 17th-18th Century

Size H 16" x W 8" x D 2.5" without base

Antique Indian carving of Vishnu and Lakshmi. Vishnu is identified by his tall crown and club. His wife, Lakshmi is seated on his left knee. Carved of a hard black/green stone. Beautifully worn smooth and with traces of vermillion from it's use as a votive sculpture. This piece is very powerful. Age: Possible 4th century Dimensions: 4 1/4" high x 2 1/4" wide x 1 1/4" deep

Exceptionally fine and well cast 16/17th Century bronze dancing figure of KRISHNA from Southern India with many details, a wonderful natural patina and clear evidence of prolonged Puja (worship of object). No restorations or repairs. Excellent condition. Size: H. 4.5" (11.6 cm). Very sought after and rare collector's item! Provenance: Private European Collection.

Rare and large bronze shrine. The central figure is a Jina or Tirthankara. He is surrounded by small Jina's on the back plate. Each of the 24 Tirthankaras is represented by an animal or a symbol. There is an engraved animal on the foot of this shrine, but it is hard to distinguish which animal it is. The shrine is in an excellent condition, all three parts belong together, there are no repairs. It has a clean appearance due to the daily worshipping and washing tradition in Jainism...

Finely sculptured Ganesha bronze from West India, 17th Century, surrounded by a stylized aura ring, topped by a divine protective head and a beautiful engraved lotus flower base. This figure shows prolonged Puja (worship to the object) and a naturally formed patina. Very good condition, large size: H. 6.5" (11 cm.) Provenance: European Private Collection.

In the centre a sculpture of one of the 24 Tirthankaras. The back plate decorated with small sittimg Tirthankaras and attendants. Made in Karnataka or Maharashtra in the 17th or 18th century. Dimensions: 28x17x8,5 cm. Provenance: private collection Belgium.