This very unusual mask has been formed from a large, single Lingzhi fungus (Ganoderma Lucidum). The natural structure of the fungus has been carved to form a mouth and eyes. The nose has been affixed. Two holes on either side allow for a cord allowing the mask to be either worn or hung for ritual display in a household. The surface is hard, glossy and strongly wrinkled. It is believed that such masks were worn ritually to frighten off malevolent spirits...

A finely worked Koftgari damascene gold inlay on steel decorated casket form box. Possibly from Sialkot but certainly from the Kashmir area of North India at the time (now Pakistan). 19th century. 5 1/8 inches length, 3 1/3 inches wide, 3/3/8 inches high - also with ring handle on boss fitted to the top. Good condition (key not retained).

A later Mughal empire silver incense burner. The 800 silver marked bulbous vessel with repousse decoration of key fret border over scrolling vine pattern band over lotus pattern foot (marked 800 on the foot). The top with finial on lotus pattern cap, over an opewnork vine trellis band, over a chased scrolling vine pattern band, over a narrower key fret border. Lots of varied technique harmonizing to form the whole. 19th century. Must rotate the top a bit to find the optimal fit. Good condition...

Mughal (Northern Indian) hand calligraphy and painted posthumous portrait of Sha Alumfrachu (Shah Alam II), born 1728, ruled from 1760, died 1807. Portrait painting (and perhaps also the calligraphy) by Baboor Alie Khan (court artist Babur Ali Khan), year of Muhammed 1265 (AD 1848), Good condition and with full translation on the verso. Sight size, 13 1/4 x 9 3/4 inches (the portrait itself, image area 6 x 3 5/8 inches)...

A nicely formed multi-lobed bidri vase. Finely worked inlaid decoration. East India. Early 20th century. 10 1/2 inches high. Good condition.

A small bidri stem or bud vase. East Indian. Early 20th century. 6 1/2 inches high. Good condition.

A finely painted 19th century Indian manuscript leaf depicting a nighttime elephant ride by torchlight. Sight size: 9 inches by 6 inches. A slight vertical rub in the image area just to the right of the elephant (not terribly detracting), otherwise in good condition.

A finely appointed and carved rosewood (probably Sheesham wood) small tantalus box. Indian, British Raj period - 19th century. With four custom blown glass bottles with monogrammed old Sheffield silver plate tops - original to the box. Original key. Approximately 4 3/4 x 4 3/4 x 4 inches high...

Indian antique miniature painting of the goddess, Sarasvati (Saraswati). Here she is seen playing her veena (a stringed musical instrument). In her other hands are her rosary and a book. She drifts on the water of the Saraswati River seated on a giant lotus. Next to her swims her swan mount. Painted in gouache on paper.
Saraswati is the Hindu goddess of knowledge, education, learning, arts, speech, poetry, music, purification, language and culture...

Framed traditional Indonesian artworks featuring a Wayang Kulit shadow puppet figure and a stylized Garuda emblem that was once part of a book. finely rendered on decorative panels with intricate border motifs. The right panel depicts a classic Javanese or Balinese noble character, likely drawn from Hindu epics such as the Mahabharata, painted in the elongated, stylized form associated with shadow puppetry...

This dish is quite exceptional; it is an English ceramic from Stoke-on-Trent, decorated with a lacquered palace scene in Persia at the end of the 19th century. There is no other known example of Qajar lacquer on European ceramic; the materials are not very compatible; lacquer cannot adhere properly to a ceramic surface lacking porosity. It is miraculous that 150 years after its creation, the lacquer is still present and in relatively good condition...

The box is decorated with a palace scene on the top and hunting scenes on the sides. The mounted hunters are tracking bears, wild boars, and lions. The drawings are naive. The colors have retained their freshness. Good condition, no repairs. Dimensions: 300x71x74mm

The decoration features two main figures: a woman kneeling before a seated man wearing what appears to be a halo. In the background, other male figures and horses are depicted. The designs are of excellent quality for this type of Qajar lacquer. The mirror cover is missing. It is very likely that this mirror was signed on the missing part. Inside, a Persian character drawn in ink. Probably a notification. Dimensions: 375x245x20mm. Wear and minor damage, all visible in the photos. No repairs...

A fine Tantric Thangka depicting the Six Arms White Mahakala tramping on Vinayakas ( Ganeshas which create obstacles), Vajradhara is depicted on his crown, and the red Vajravarahi Dakini on his chest. His body is richly ornate with jewels, the left lower hand holding flaming gems, a damaru and a chopper in the other two hands; the right lower hand holding a Kampala with jewels, a trident (trishula), vajra-hook (ankusha) with the other hands. On the left upper side a four Arms Avalokitesha...

Balakrishna, Infant Krishna the Butter Thief. A well finished bronze figure of the infant Krishna, in the act of stealing pats of butter from his mother's kitchen. It's from India, probably from 18th century South India.

Approximately 7 cm long, 8 cm high. Fine condition.

Please study the photographs.

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A tribal, animist wooden sculpture showing a shaman at the point where, in an induced trance, he leaves his body to journey into the spirit world. This sculpture is part of a group of about a dozen other similar tribal carvings from a remote valley in North India just south of Nepal. Jane Werner-Aye, one of the foremost experts on Himalayan art, examined other sculptures from this collection 25 years ago, declared them to be authentic, North Indian, and late 19th century in age. (This particul...

Large gilt copper Citipati mask, with a flaming trident on its top and flames coming out of its mouth. Tibet, mid 20th century. Height: 43.3 cm. Width: 35.7 cm. Very good condition.

Finely detailed spoon for Hindu religious rituals, decorated with a sitting Hindu deity on top, adorsed on a Naga snake which protects it, a long stem ending in the spoon itself, decorated with two birds on its top. India, early 19th century. Height: 13.7 cm. The spoon is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Some abrasion due to old age, otherwise very good condition.