Green-Glazed Amphora - ADC.121, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 2 nd Century BC to 2 nd Century AD, Dimensions: 11.73 " (29.8cm) high, Collection: Pre-Islamic Art, Style:  More »

Green-Glazed Amphora - ADC.121, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 2 nd Century BC to 2 nd Century AD, Dimensions: 11.73 " (29.8cm) high, Collection: Pre-Islamic Art, Style: Parthian, Medium: Earthenware.   « Less

The island of Sumba is located in eastern Indonesia. Among the native populations, an indigenous religion known as marapu is still practiced even today. The Sumbanese  More »

The island of Sumba is located in eastern Indonesia. Among the native populations, an indigenous religion known as marapu is still practiced even today. The Sumbanese believed precious metals were of celestial origin and were deposited on earth by shooting stars falling from the sky. As such, gold objects signify divine favor and represent terrestrial wealth. Gold objects are often ritually exchanged during marriages, alliances, and other formal ceremonies. Mamuli, gold ornaments shaped like the Greek letter omega, are among the most important Sumbanese gold objects. Their form harkens back to the days when Sumbanese natives practiced ear elongation and wore mamuli as earrings. Today, however, this practice has fallen out of favor; yet mamuli continue to be worn, now as pendants or attached to garments. The form is said to represent stylized female genitalia and they typically depict smaller figures or scenes from nature. In addition to fine filigree goldwork and granulation, this mamuli features two pairs of copulating monkeys that adorn the flaring base and would have swayed back and forth as the pendant moved. - (CK.0062)   « Less

The island of Sumba is located in eastern Indonesia. Among the native populations, an indigenous religion known as marapu is still practiced even today. The Sumbanese  More »

The island of Sumba is located in eastern Indonesia. Among the native populations, an indigenous religion known as marapu is still practiced even today. The Sumbanese believed precious metals were of celestial origin and were deposited on earth by shooting stars falling from the sky. As such, gold objects signify divine favor and represent terrestrial wealth. Gold objects are often ritually exchanged during marriages, alliances, and other formal ceremonies. Mamuli, gold ornaments shaped like the Greek letter omega, are among the most important Sumbanese gold objects. Their form harkens back to the days when Sumbanese natives practiced ear elongation and wore mamuli as earrings. Today, however, this practice has fallen out of favor; yet mamuli continue to be worn, now as pendants or attached to garments. The form is said to represent stylized female genitalia and they typically depict smaller figures or scenes from nature. In addition to fine filigree goldwork and granulation, this mamuli features two seated monkeys that adorn the flaring base. They are eating food they hold in their hands and their arms would have moved up and down as the pendant swayed. - (CK.0063)   « Less

Origin: Indonesia Circa: 900 AD to 1300 AD Dimensions: 8.75" (22.2cm) high x 2.5" (6.4cm) wide Collection: Asian Art Style: Balinese Medium: Gold

Origin: Indonesia Circa: 900 AD to 1300 AD Dimensions: 8.75" (22.2cm) high x 2.5" (6.4cm) wide Collection: Asian Art Style: Balinese Medium: Gold   « Less

Origin: Indonesia Circa: 900 AD to 1300 AD Dimensions: 4" (10.2cm) high x 2.25" (5.7cm) wide Collection: Asian Art Style: Balinese Medium: Gold

Origin: Indonesia Circa: 900 AD to 1300 AD Dimensions: 4" (10.2cm) high x 2.25" (5.7cm) wide Collection: Asian Art Style: Balinese Medium: Gold   « Less

Origin: Indonesia Circa: 900 AD to 1300 AD Dimensions: 4.125" (10.5cm) high x 2" (5.1cm) wide Collection: Asian Art Style: Balinese Medium: Gold

Origin: Indonesia Circa: 900 AD to 1300 AD Dimensions: 4.125" (10.5cm) high x 2" (5.1cm) wide Collection: Asian Art Style: Balinese Medium: Gold   « Less

Origin: Indonesia Circa: 900 AD to 1300 AD Dimensions: 7.25" (18.4cm) high x 2" (5.1cm) wide Collection: Asian Art Style: Balinese Medium: Gold

Origin: Indonesia Circa: 900 AD to 1300 AD Dimensions: 7.25" (18.4cm) high x 2" (5.1cm) wide Collection: Asian Art Style: Balinese Medium: Gold   « Less

Like much of Southeast Asia, the island of Java (today a part of the archipelago nation of Indonesia) has historically been highly influenced by Indian civilization. The  More »

Like much of Southeast Asia, the island of Java (today a part of the archipelago nation of Indonesia) has historically been highly influenced by Indian civilization. The religions of Hinduism and Buddhism, both originating from the subcontinent, were the vehicles through which Indian culture spread across Java and the greater archipelago region. However, due to its location near the strategic Straights of Malacca, one of the most important maritime routes in the world, Java was also exposed to many other cultural influences. As Buddhism began to spread in China, Chinese pilgrims would often stop in Java en route to the holy sites in India. Like other cultures exposed to foreign influences, the Javanese did not practice wholesale assimilation, but instead opted to pick and choose certain elements that appealed to their tastes, incorporating them into their own culture, while altogether ignoring other aspects.Before the spread of Islam into the archipelago beginning in the 13th century and the rise of various Muslim states in the following centuries, Hinduism and Buddhism flourished in Java and beyond. Even after the majority of Java converted to Islam, certain Hindu customs and beliefs persisted among the greater population. While Hinduism and Buddhism share several similarities, the type practiced in Java was syncretic, combining certain features with native traditions. Hindu and Buddhist maritime kingdoms began to emerge on the archipelago at the end of the first millennium. Srivijaya was perhaps the most dominant. Although based in Sumatra, the Srivijaya Kingdom was allied with the Buddhist Saliendra Dynasty (the builders of Borobudur, the largest Buddhist structure in the world) who controlled Java. As the power of the Saliendras began to wane, a rival Indianized kingdom began to take over. Known as the Matarams, from their base in Central Java, this kingdom quickly rose to prominence, becoming a serious rival to Srivijaya hegemony. - (CK.0571)   « Less

Like much of Southeast Asia, the island of Java (today a part of the archipelago nation of Indonesia) has historically been highly influenced by Indian civilization. The  More »

Like much of Southeast Asia, the island of Java (today a part of the archipelago nation of Indonesia) has historically been highly influenced by Indian civilization. The religions of Hinduism and Buddhism, both originating from the subcontinent, were the vehicles through which Indian culture spread across Java and the greater archipelago region. However, due to its location near the strategic Straights of Malacca, one of the most important maritime routes in the world, Java was also exposed to many other cultural influences. As Buddhism began to spread in China, Chinese pilgrims would often stop in Java en route to the holy sites in India. Like other cultures exposed to foreign influences, the Javanese did not practice wholesale assimilation, but instead opted to pick and choose certain elements that appealed to their tastes, incorporating them into their own culture, while altogether ignoring other aspects.Before the spread of Islam into the archipelago beginning in the 13th century and the rise of various Muslim states in the following centuries, Hinduism and Buddhism flourished in Java and beyond. Even after the majority of Java converted to Islam, certain Hindu customs and beliefs persisted among the greater population. While Hinduism and Buddhism share several similarities, the type practiced in Java was syncretic, combining certain features with native traditions. Hindu and Buddhist maritime kingdoms began to emerge on the archipelago at the end of the first millennium. Srivijaya was perhaps the most dominant. Although based in Sumatra, the Srivijaya Kingdom was allied with the Buddhist Saliendra Dynasty (the builders of Borobudur, the largest Buddhist structure in the world) who controlled Java. As the power of the Saliendras began to wane, a rival Indianized kingdom began to take over. Known as the Matarams, from their base in Central Java, this kingdom quickly rose to prominence, becoming a serious rival to Srivijaya hegemony. - (CK.0593)   « Less

This exquisite mirror was perhaps created to celebrate a marriage or some other auspicious occasion. Its iconography depicts animals and plants traditionally symbolic of  More »

This exquisite mirror was perhaps created to celebrate a marriage or some other auspicious occasion. Its iconography depicts animals and plants traditionally symbolic of luck. The three trees--plum, pine, and bamboo--are thought to bring happiness, while the two cranes and the turtle guarantee a long and healthy life. The serene beauty of nature has been skillfully bent to the service of art. Surely the woman who gazed into this mirror long ago must have felt happy and fortunate indeed. Report on Japanese Bronze Mirror Item FZ.227 Decoration As you indicate the designs on this mirror contain many auspicious references. One is Longevity, a wish for long life, which is indicated by the general setting (the Islands of the Blest - where the Immortals live), plus the Three Friends (pine tree, crane and bamboo) each of which live long lives and together form a reinforced blessing plus the tortoise, another long lived creature plus the pine tree by itself, with the name of Takasago signifying long life AND Takasago also signifies marital bliss which itself is also represented by the pair of cranes You couldn;t get a more felicitous wedding present to a bride. Inscription The inscription reads in full Tenka- ichi Shimizu Kawachi kami Muneaki i.e., 'First under Heaven, Governor of Kawachi (Province), (made by) Muneaki' '. Because of the short form of the inscription, the meaning is not yet fully explained, but:- First under heaven' was a description used by artisans, meaning 'Best on earth'. The former Kawachi Province is now part of present-day Osaka Muneali was the personal name of the maker. His family name was probaly Fujiwara, the main mirror-makers of the time. Dating Other mirrors by Muneki have not been recorded but, considering the size, the nature of the inscription and the design, I would attribute this to late Edo, c 1840 (ie 1820-1860) The above report was issued by Les Page - (FZ.227)   « Less