Pair of antique Tibetan snow lions. Made of gilded bronze with polychrome details. Wild, open mouthed expressions and paws over heads. These lions were once part of a Buddhist display. Snow lions are thought to be the king of beasts to the Tibetan people. They personify joy and bliss and represent the hermits and yogis that live in the Himalayas. It is believed that the milk of the snow lioness is the essence of the Dharma.

Age: 18th century

Dimensions of each on a... Click for details

Antique thangka painting with Buddha seated high above and also ascending from a heavenly realm. A palace below with many llamas and attendants. An altar is spread with auspicious objects. At the very bottom of the scene, figures relax in palace rooms flanking a garden. Painted in mineral colors on cotton.

Age: circa 1900

Dimensions: 56" high x 43 1/2" wide

Antique Tibetan horse saddle. Made of wood and decorated with red lacquer flowers and scrolling vines on a black lacquer ground. Horse riding on in Tibet is especially popular on the plateau of Western Tibet where the Kampa horsemen have held traditional horse races and festivals for generations. This saddle comes with a custom metal stand.

Age: 19th century

Dimensions: 10" high x 18" long x 14 1/2" wide (17" high on stand)

Antique Himalayan small silver Buddha Sakyamuni seated in vajrasana position on a lotus throne. His feet are folded in his lap in vajraparyankasana and his right hand reaches down in bhumispara mudra. His expression is compassionate with downcast eyes and a slight smile. The bottom of the base is covered in copper.

Age: 19th century

Dimensions: 3 1/8" high x 2" wide x 1 5/8" deep

Antique Himalayan tsha tsha (small votive plaque) depicting White Tara seated on a lotus throne. White Tara (the Mother of all Buddhas) is worshipped as the embodiment of the maternal aspect of compassion. Her seven eyes allow her to see all suffering.
Tsha Tsha were cast of clay mixed with ground incense and sacred ash. They were dried in the sun and painted with polychrome pigments. Small votives like this one were left as offerings at spiritual sites along a pilgrim's route. This... Click for details

Antique Himalayan tsha tsha (small votive plaque) depicting a red bodhisattva seated on a lotus throne. Tsha Tsha were cast of clay mixed with ground incense and sacred ash. They were dried in the sun and painted with polychrome pigments. Small votives like this one were left as offerings at spiritual sites along a pilgrim's route.

Age: 18th century

Dimensions: 3 3/4" high x 3 1/8" wide x 1 3/8" deep

Antique Tibetan pair of offering bowls. Each bowl is carved of burl wood and has an ornate silver foot decorated with cabochons of coral and turquoise. The silver bottom of each bowl is incised with a scene of mother and baby fu lions. The bowls have interiors that have been lined and edged with silver.

Age: 19th century

Dimensions of each: 2 1/2" high x 6 1/4" wide

Antique Nepalese Hindu priest's bronze bangle bracelet. Made with intricate and highly raised Shiva symbols and animals.

Age: 19th century

Dimensions: 4" wide diameter

Tibetan antique set of 3 heads from a khatvanga ritual staff. The Tantric (esoteric) Buddhist ceremonial staff would have been held by an advanced practitioner during ceremonies and was a sacred object assisting in the rule over subtle bodies of energy. The three human heads (fresh, dried and bare skull), which once adorned the top of the staff in a stacked position, represent the 3 poisons of lust, hate and delusion. These skulls are made of gilt copper repoussé and strung with cotton... Click for details

Antique Tibetan kangling, a trumpet made for use in Buddhist chöd rituals and funerals. The kangling was played by the practitioner as an act of fearlessness and compassion, drawing out the hungry spirits so that they may have their suffering relieved. Kangling, which literally translates as "leg flute", were traditionally made of either a human tibia or femur and preferably that of a criminal or someone who died a violent death. The leg bone of a respected teacher was also acceptable. ... Click for details