Chinese Dragon Motif mesh filigree silver metal purse, with gorgeous chain & leaves drops. delicate weaving, engraving, chasing, workmanship,fragile, detail, monograms,  More »

Chinese Dragon Motif mesh filigree silver metal purse, with gorgeous chain & leaves drops. delicate weaving, engraving, chasing, workmanship,fragile, detail, monograms, or cartouch or hallmarks or signature. Aged and fabulous, 14" x 6.5". impeccable, quite primitive.   « Less

India late 19th Century A pair of wooden carved and painted deity figures from India. Both are from the ex-collection of George P. Bickford, and later from Mahruhk Tarapor.  More »

India late 19th Century A pair of wooden carved and painted deity figures from India. Both are from the ex-collection of George P. Bickford, and later from Mahruhk Tarapor. George P. Bickford graduated from Harvard University in 1922. He went on to become a missionary in CHina. It was in China where his love of art and collecting began. He made the trip home to the States through India and discovered the beauty of Indian art. Mahruhk Tarapor is the former Director of Exhibitions at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. She, too, is an avid collector of Indian art. It is my distinct pleasure to offer this pair of figures.   « Less

Extremely rare piece of the shaman rite. Two elements of ritual dances to increase either the fertility, or the vigour. The receptacle in the form of woman, the bowl  More »

Extremely rare piece of the shaman rite. Two elements of ritual dances to increase either the fertility, or the vigour. The receptacle in the form of woman, the bowl being a sex opened in a disproportionate way, the well drawn clitoris. The pestle in form of a phallus. Both have the lengthened body, with a head in the form of the moon. To note the beauty of the expressions. Superb patina crouteuse black. Perfect condition Delivered with stand Nepal 19th c. Ex collection Chazot High of the female : 36.5 cm High of the male : 30.6 cm   « Less

Luba ivory ithyphallic sculpture Rare representation of a male ancestor Ivory with a beautiful honey patina Very good condition, length : 9.2 cm stand The Luba  More »

Luba ivory ithyphallic sculpture Rare representation of a male ancestor Ivory with a beautiful honey patina Very good condition, length : 9.2 cm stand The Luba carving in ivory with tiny pendants representing ancestor spirits. These are highly stylized figures whose importance is given to the treatment of face and body. According to oral tradition, the hunters would come Baluba areas and the North -East Lake Kisale where he eventually settled. We talked to them sometimes as the people of the sun. Baluba mean the lost or flowers (the word - drunk Luba " flower " and metaphorically " beauty ", a term that the people they found in the region used to refer to them. Katanga is the cradle, specifically the Lake Kisale. Luba art is all curved lines. The face is rounded, the eyes mostly downcast mouth is equipped with full lips. Luba art uses harmonious volumes, it is curved and rounded. Coins are in natural proportions. The heads are round, the forehead is bulging. The eyes are shaped like coffee beans, ears are small. The patina is beautiful and amber. All these objects have the same formal characteristics : elegance, sensuality, softness.   « Less

Cache-sex " Negba " Mangbetu Democratic Republic of Congo Cache -cheek sycamore bark and plant fibers weaving with fine grass with geometric circa 1930 32.5 cm x 25  More »

Cache-sex " Negba " Mangbetu Democratic Republic of Congo Cache -cheek sycamore bark and plant fibers weaving with fine grass with geometric circa 1930 32.5 cm x 25 cm   « Less

Kuba royal finery Congo The ornaments decorated like this were worn by kings and dignitaries to indicate their social status or rank. The necklace is composed of two  More »

Kuba royal finery Congo The ornaments decorated like this were worn by kings and dignitaries to indicate their social status or rank. The necklace is composed of two wonderful hippopotamus teeth mounted on leather and raffia. Decorated with white pearls, coral beads and cowrie shells simulating the facies of an animal bone beads, copper bells attached make up this sumptuous finery. While the rear consists of five metal bells. The set is highlighted by leather breastplates decorated recessed and finely engraved plates 61 cm x 26 cm Democratic Republic of Congo Early 19th century   « Less

Yoruba female belly mask in wood It is rare to find a mask of that age and always carrying lsacred loads Beautiful lustrous patina Very good condition The wear and  More »

Yoruba female belly mask in wood It is rare to find a mask of that age and always carrying lsacred loads Beautiful lustrous patina Very good condition The wear and patina of the inside shows the important use of this mask complete with fasteners and loads of origin Weaving plant fibers ends with French coins from the 40th This type of mask was attached to the belly dancers during ceremonies to celebrate the rites of fertility and fecundity Total length 82cm Mask length 32 cm Africa 1940 Benin Nigeria border   « Less

Yoruba male belly mask in wood It is rare to find a mask that age and always carrying sacred loads Beautiful lustrous patina Very good condition The wear and  More »

Yoruba male belly mask in wood It is rare to find a mask that age and always carrying sacred loads Beautiful lustrous patina Very good condition The wear and patina of the inside shows the important use of this mask complete with fasteners and loads of origin This type of mask was attached to the belly dancers during ceremonies to celebrate the rites of fertility and fecundity Total length 70cm Mask length 35 cm Africa 1940 Benin Nigeria border   « Less

Sceptre in wood Fon Benin circa 1800 Sticks and scepters command has always been the insignia of kings In some cases, they may also have acted as phallic symbols evoking  More »

Sceptre in wood Fon Benin circa 1800 Sticks and scepters command has always been the insignia of kings In some cases, they may also have acted as phallic symbols evoking notions of power and fertility, in association with royalty. The functions of these royal scepters are multiple planting ceremony to make the land fertile, or at weddings to promote fertility of the newlyweds and of course the transition to adulthood. This rare piece is dedicated to sex and circumcision ceremonies. Decorated with a phallus, complete in return for a stylized hornbill, the handle carved in high relief shows three characters erect. The bird and in particular the hornbill is associated with the sex of man and is very present in the rituals associated with circumcision. Africa. Benin (formerly Dahomey), Fon, early 19th century. Beautiful patina, good condition Wear of age 49 cm x 28 cm Base. 66 cm   « Less

Superb bronze representing the sacred union of Shiva and Shakti India circa 1800 Pilon Medicine Rare model, articulated, beautifully crafted Deep patina and very  More »

Superb bronze representing the sacred union of Shiva and Shakti India circa 1800 Pilon Medicine Rare model, articulated, beautifully crafted Deep patina and very good condition Height : 15cm The union of the sexes eliminates the polarity of opposites and led to the original indivisible before the creation.   « Less