Attractive Shan State Buddha seated in the Lotus Position on a stepped throne decorated with 2 layers of fine lotus-like leaves in high relief. The Buddha's right hand is touching the earth while his left hand is in gesture of meditation. Nice serene expression. Good condition. Size: H. 22 cm. x W. 11 cm. x D. 6 cm. For more photos please see our item # 680681

Very rare antique lacquer box from the Southern Shan States circa late 19th CE to early 20th CE. This a complete set (which is rare in itself these days). The pattern though simple is exquisitely detailed. Some craquelure on the surface, as is expected and few minor chips at the bottom of the lid. H 13.7cm/5.4in and D: 15.5cm/6.1in.

Very rare lacquer box with geometrical pattern and convex shaped lid and bottom. The lacquer is quite thick on this piece with an unusual motif. I have only seen two boxes in this style which came out of Yunnan, China, so these may have been made as trade items to Yi minority who seem to make similar, though less sophisticated, patterned lacquer pieces. This was made in the first half of the 20th century, and except for a chip on the lid surface it is in excellent condition. D: 14....

Charming and unusually small black and red lacquer vessel from Kenteng, Shan State, Burma. A very cute piece and genuinely old- circa 80 years. This piece is uncommon in that it has six feet instead of the usual four. The entire piece is covered in red lacquer with a black lacquer overcoat on the outside. There is surface craqueleur as to be expected from authentic old lacquer but no breakage in the body. D: 13.5cm/5.3in and H: 8.2cm/3.2in.

This is Volume I of Ancient Chinese Bronzes In The Arthur M. Sackler Collections - Shang Ritual Bronzes in the Arthur M. Sackler Collections, by Robert W. Bagley, 1987 (first edition.) A must have for serious students of ancient Chinese bronzes. 599 richly illustrated pages including index and credits. Steeped in substantive historical, cultural, techniques, styles and forms, scientific analyis, and other scholarship. We are not book specialists and are selling from our own library collection. W...

Complete set of five Shan esoteric Buddhist images. These consist of a Buddha, three monks and a chedi. These are covered with traditional gold and back lacquer and the bodies are made from compressed powdered herbs or temple incense ash. They have a quirky abstract quality to them, their facelessness represents that the individual is inconsequential but has the potential for becoming a Buddha, on the bottom are the eight Burmese zodiac symbols based on the days of the week. For some r...

Very fine Bronze Buddha subduing Mara, Shan State, Burma, 18/19th Century, very nice brown-gold patina, on high-stepped throne, which tapers off toward the top and is a noteworthy characteristic of Shan artists, very good condition, size: H. 15.5cm x W. 7.5cm x D. 5cm, rare size/find.

A genuine Shan State Bronze Buddha, 17/18th Century, subduing Mara and sitting on a fine stepped throne. Front base has engraved Shan script. The Buddha is filled and heavy, not hollow. It also has an old original dark patina with traces of gilt and very few remnants of cinnabar paint. Size: Height 20.5 cm x 13 cm (8.25" x 5.25" inches). Good condition overall.

Nice old carved hardwood box from the Shan State, Myanmar with traces of original lacquer. This was collected around 1988 in Northern Thailand, and originally dates to early the 20th century. Please note this is not a tourist piece artificially stressed to look old. The Shan have a strong shamanistic tradition which seems to blend well the local Buddhist religion, possibly this was used to house shaman paraphernalia. The box is carved from a single piece of wood and the sliding lid has...

Rare Shan State Bronze Buddha and Worshiper with original bronze platform/base, 18th Century, Burma. The very refined Buddha has both arms pendant by the sides in the "Calling for Rain" position. Collector's item, good condition, size: H. 11cm x W. 5cm x D. 9cm

Shaman's Feast Woodblock Print on Traditional Hanji Paper by Hong Sung Dam in 1982 (21 x 15 inches, 53.5 x 38 cm, including margins). Hong Sung Dam is a woodblock print artist who was a leader of the minjung, the peoples' political movement that arose from the ashes of the Gwangju Massacre where the Korean government slaughtered hundreds (some witnesses say thousands) of their own citizens in the streets in response to demonstrations in Gwangju. He was arrested in 1989, and suffered brutal tortu...

Two bone “knives” from the Golden Triangle. I acquired these in Chiang Mai Thailand about 20 years ago and was told that were used by a “hill tribe”, for ritual ceremonies that involved the symbolic letting of blood to heal the patient. Using bones in spiritual practices is a syncretic tradition in this region as the boundaries between Buddhism and the earlier Animist practices are blurred and seem to work in harmony with one another. These are old genuine old Shaman’s artif...

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.

Rare sparkling White Marble Carving of Shakyamuni Buddha, subduing Mara, 19th Cent. Burma, Good condition, (only tiny tip of Usnisa chipped). Size H. 33 cm x W. 20 cm x D. 6 cm excluding stand. This item has been nicely mounted on a black stand.

Shakudo tsuba with a relief decor representing foliage and flowers, with gilt highlights on a background of tiny dots. The tsuba is unsigned. Japan, late Edo period. Height: 7.2 cm. Very good condition despite a slight erosion all over the piece. Sold with its box.

Solid gold, silver, shibuichi and sentoku inlaid shakudo tsuba. The setting presents us with a Japanese warrior slaying an enemy wearing foreign armor that seems to be Chinese or even Mongol. This could be a reference to the attempted invasion of Japan by China Mongols in the 13th century. The tsuba bears the signature of Yoshiaki who was one of the greatest artists of his time. He was excessively copied throughout the 19th century, the tsubas bearing his signature are innumerable and the real w...

A kozuka with gilt and silvered bronze decoration of a general's baton and banner on dark patinated bronze nanako ('fish roe' textured ground.) The utility knife handle with shakudo (a pickled gold and copper alloy) back and sides. Surfaces showing wear and slight distress from use but in fairly good and serviceable condition. Could benefit from a light cleaning and oiling. Length, little more than 3 3/4 inches (9.53 cm)