Indian antique miniature painting of a Mughal prince. Dressed in rich clothing and jewels, the prince sits on the back of a white horse. A halo around the prince's head denotes his royal status. His horse wears a jeweled bridle. A quiver and arrows is attached to the saddle so one can assume the prince is starting out on a hunt.
Painting in gouache on paper, this was originally an album leaf. The page is framed so that the writing on the edges and back is visible.

Age: 19th... Click for details

Indian antique miniature painting of the Hindu goddess, Kali portrayed here standing on her husband, the Lord Shiva. Kali is the divine feminine, Shakti (power) of Shiva. She is the fierce and powerful goddess of time, destruction and creation and is worshipped for her strength and protection.
This image of her standing on top of Shiva represents her as the goddess of the cycles of life, death, and rebirth. She wears a jeweled crown, a skirt of human arms and a necklace of severed heads. ... Click for details

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. She is one of the 3 main goddesses,... Click for details

Indian antique miniature painting of two noblemen visiting a young Maharaja on an outdoor terrace. The young man sits on a throne and is fanned by an attendant. His tall crown with white feather finial denotes his royal status. The scene is edged with delicate scrolling vines in gold on black which is beautifully repeated on the wooden frame. The area between is decorated with colorful sprays of blossoming flowers. Painted in gouache and gold on paper.

Age: 19th... Click for details

An expressive and time-worn Indian sculpture of Ganesha, hand-carved from solid white marble. This sacred figure of the elephant-headed deity is seated in a relaxed posture with one leg folded and the other extended, holding traditional attributes in his hands. Traces of original red pigment remain visible in crevices, hinting at the sculpture’s once vibrant devotional life.

In Indian tradition, Ganesha is known as the Remover of Obstacles and the Lord of Beginnings. He is... Click for details

Ancient Greek kylix is a terracotta drinking cup, traditionally used for wine consumption during symposia (drinking gatherings). It features a shallow bowl with an elegant footed base and two looping handles, allowing for ease of use. The surface shows signs of age with natural patina and some remnants of decoration.
Kylixes were commonly adorned with painted scenes, often depicting mythology, daily life, or Dionysian festivities, though this example has worn surface details due to... Click for details

Antique Indian schist stone stele carving of Lord Vishnu and consort Laksmi. Beautifully rendered in bas relief. Dieties in various poses.

Hoffman estate

Size: on custom metal base 18" high x 16 1/4" wide x 6 1/4" deep

Date: It is our opinion that this sculpture is 10-11th century

A pair of antique Indian miniature portraits of the 3rd Mughal Emperor Akbar (1542-1605) and his favorite wife, Empress Mariam-uz-Zamani. Emperor Akbar ruled from 1556-1605. His wife, Mariam-uz-Zamani, was born Jodha Bair, a Hindu-Rajput princess. She later gave birth to Salim, who succeeded Akbar as Emperor Jahangir. Shown here, the royal Mughal couple are painted in gouache and mounted in oval frames. Emperor and Empress each hold a rose, a symbol of both power and... Click for details

Antique Indian miniature panting of lady watching her maid kill a snake. The group of ladies, women with jewels and flowing saris look on with anxious expressions. The lush garden is inhabited with various birds and a cat. Mughal version of a Deccani school painting. Gouache and burnished gold on paper.

Age: 19th century

Dimensions in frame: 23 1/4" high x 19 1/4" wide (image size: 11 1/2" high x 7" wide)

Antique Indian miniature painting of a palace scene. Two beautiful court ladies sit on a palace balcony overlooking a lotus pond. A noble courtier sits at their feet. In the distance, another palace peeks through the trees. It is dusk and the setting sun has turned part of the sky orange. The image is framed by writing. There are gold details and a deer sits off to the side. This page is beautiful framed so the edges can be seen.

Age: 19th century

Dimensions: 15 3/4" high... Click for details