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"

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).

Until the mid 1900's, transporting goods along the silk road was accomplished by camel caravans ...and it was important not to lose the camels in sand storms along the way... Each camel from Tibet was "adorned" with 3 bells...one large bell hang from a strap around the camel's belly, a 2nd bell was strapped around the neck, and the 3rd bell was hung from the camels tail. This old camel's bell was used on the caravans travailing between Tibet, across China and into Mongolia...

Four-armed sword wielding Virabhadra is a manifestation of Shiva. In this form, he decapitated the demigod Daksha who had insulted him, but in doing so, he interrupted the demigod's sacrifice by which all beings are created. Virabhadra later revived Daksha by replacing his head with that of a goat, thus ensuring the demigod survived and the continuance of creation...

Rare purse , made of leather, brass and silver, with lotus, sea creatures and makala design. Inlaid with coral. Dimensions: the purse alone 13x9,5 cm, including leather strap and sash 45 cm. Condition: very good age wear and patina, one of the sea creatures is missing its tail.

A Sikh Perso-Indian mughal koftgari dagger, decorated with damascene silver handle and sheath with the head of a leopard. The blade is curved and inlaid with silver medallion filigree.

Dates from late Colonial Period 19th/20th century Dimensions: 12 3/4" L x 2 1/2" W

Painting on card, gold and colours, 16x10cm. Undated, estimated to be early 20th century or earlier. Can be viewed in central London and shipped worldwide.

Small statue of a protector, with a high coiffe, sitting on a rounded base, his hands in praying posture. Strongly eroded wood. Nepal, early 20th century or earlier. Height: 32 cm. The statue is nicely mounted on a custom stand.

Small cast bronze oil lamp in the form of an elephant drinking water from a trough. Measuring 3.5" high x 4" long, the lamp will fit in the palm of your hand and is attached to a heavy hand wrought chain that ends with a hook in the shape of a cobra. Chain and hook measures 9.5 inches long. There is a reservoir for oil inside the elephant. To use they would turn the elephant upside down to pour in the oil and then latch it shut with the sturdy removable pin...

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 North Indian pandan steel casket for offering betel. Of circular form with hinged lid, inlaid with flower scrolls in silver. Condition: interior with some oxidation. Dimension: diameter: 12 cm, 9.3 cm high, weight: 606 g.

A rectangular repoussé box, decorated with peony, floral sprays and Buddhist symbols. The sides decorated with meanders, the back with floral motives and a ‘Shou’ character, symbolizing longevity. Both sides of the box have gilded details. Dimensions: 10 x 8,5 x 4,5 cm. Weight: 242 g. The box is in very good condition and has normal age wear. Date: 19th to early 20th century.

A large Indian hand-carved wooden mask of Ganesh, the Hindu elephant headed deity known to be the remover of obstacles. His trunk raised high above its head, with gold pigment eyes staring intensely out from either side of the trunk. His human like mouth gapes open with the tongue sticking out, and the ears carved with an earring on one side. The mask is carved wearing a crown resembling lotus petals. Original polychrome pigments shown in red, blue, and gold...

A Tibetan single seat meditation mat (Kang ma type) of hand woven wool with the central field decorated with floral pattern in different colour on a deep red background; a meander frame in white on blue indigo is separating the central square from the outer border of floral design on rust colour. The rug is finished with thick red cotton frame and blue cotton backing. Tibet, early 20th cent. Measurements: L. 76,5 x W 67 cm; L...

Pair Tibetan Himalayan Wool hand made Wool Prayer or Meditation Rug, or Seat Cover in the monastery, Ca. early 1900's, 26" x 24" wide, five(5) different type of animal, Pig, Donkey, Sheep, Phoenix Bird, Bird inside shaped center with Greek Key border within inner and outer border. Even worn area throughout and some flat area in the middle. Purchased in Tibet long time ago, in good reasonable condition.

Antique Indian bronze figure of the Goddess Durga, wearing a tall crown, her face burnished from reverent touch over many years. She stands on the severed head and body of the slain buffalo demon Mahishasura. Durga is shown traditionally holding weapons of various male gods in Hindu mythology, such as a javelin, discus, and dagger. These weapons symbolize self-discipline, selfless service to others, self-examination, prayer, devotion, remembering her mantras, cheerfulness and meditation...

Antique Indian bronze figure of the Goddess Durga. The goddess represents the Self within and she is the divine mother of all creation. She stands atop the body of the slain buffalo demon Mahishasura, pulling at his hair. Durga holds various weapons given to her by male Hindu deities such as a javelin, discus, and dagger. These weapons symbolize self-discipline, selfless service to others, self-examination, prayer, devotion, remembering her mantras, cheerfulness and meditation...

Tibetan Himalayan Hard Silver Seal or Chop with Yak leather rope with turquoise, coral and shell bead between, 19th Century, 3 5/8" high for silver Chop, 1 1/8" diameter on the bottom, with beautiful free flow of scrolling vines with Steel engraved with Buddhist motif bottom. This seal was found in Tibet during 1980's visit by collector, never been in commercial market before. The condition is good except small dent but not very much noticeable.