Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art (158)

17th Century White Tara Tibetan Thangka. The White Tara goddess symbolizes transcendent knowledge and purity. In ancient Tibet, it was believed that Tara was reincarnated in every virtuous and pious woman. She was born from the eye of Avalokitesvara, the Bodhisattva of compassion, and became his wife. Most of these thangka were photographed through glass frames, so there may be a little blurriness. This thankga was in an exhibition at the University of Texas Art Museum. Mineral pigments on silk. 11 x 9 inches, 28 x 23 cm.

Tharu, Nepal Mask, collected by Eric Chazot, 11 inches, 28cm.

Nepalese Middle Hills Shaman Mask. 12 x 8.75 inches, 30.5 x 22 cm.

Rare Korean Black Lacquered Arrow Case (Quiver) of bamboo with a design of grapes, peonies, and ferns. Length: 40 inches, 101.5 cm.

17th Century Tibetan Bhaisajyaguru Thangka, 27.75 x 20 inches, 70.5 x 51 cm. Most of these thangka were photographed through glass frames, so there may be a little blurriness. This thankga was in an exhibition at the University of Texas Art Museum.

Tibetan Tiger Mask, 10x9x7 inches, 25.5x23x18 cm.

Nepalese Yak Hair Mask from the Humla Region. 8 inches, 20.5 cm.

This gorgeous Ichung-nong (Korean Two Unit Stacked Chest) is a rare early piece (mid 19th Century) that has aged to a warm rich hue that is nothing short of a heartwarming and rare treasure to behold. It is a beautiful effect that could never be even closely duplicated with new wood. The finishing process involved singing the wood with a hot iron to both darken it and draw out the resin, and then using straw to rub pinesoot into the grain to further darken it and simultaneously seal the pores and prevent drying, and finishing it with a light pineseed oil finish. A further air of mystery and dignity is given by the very long aging process itself. It is constructed of pine and a rare strain of paulownia with maple door and drawer panels, a rare and luxurious touch on a Korean chest, evidence that this piece was owned by a wealthy family. Furthermore, 'nong' chests were owned by upper-class families who would have observed the distinction between 'nong', which were intended for long-term storage, and the 'chang' type of chests which were for short-term storage. Much of the ironwork is in the shape of stylized floral motifs. The drawers are adorned with lovely Heavenly Peach drawer pulls of iron. The fruit of the mythical Heavenly Peach tree ripens only once every three thousand years and is eaten by the immortals when they gather for their feast at Yao Lake at the the abode of Sohwangmo, the Queen Mother of the West. A further nice historical and cultural touch on an already wonderful, one-of-a-kind piece. 54h x 35w x 14d inches, 137h x 89w x 35.5d cm.

17th Century White Tara Tibetan Thangka. The White Tara goddess symbolizes transcendent knowledge and purity. In ancient Tibet, it was believed that Tara was reincarnated in every virtuous and pious woman. She was born from the eye of Avalokitesvara, the Bodhisattva of compassion, and became his wife. Most of these thangka were photographed through glass frames, so there may be a little blurriness. This thankga was in an exhibition at the University of Texas Art Museum. Mineral pigments on silk. 12 x 10 inches, 30 x 25 cm.

Large 19th Century Korean Sharkskin Jang Geom Sword with Silver Overlay. The scabbard is covered in sharkskin and lacquered black over that. The handle is very interesting and is covered in sharkskin underneath the heavy leather wrapping, and over the sharkskin there is a thick brass foil that is hammered to look like sharkskin. This is a unique technique. The end fitting is missing. The crossguard is shaky because there are a few washers missing from the sword. The blade goes all the way in the scabbard tightly but is off-center by about half an inch. 61.5 inches, 155 cm.

Very Finely Embroidered Deluxe Pair of Korean Pillow Ends with Two Cranes (symbol of a long and happy life together) and Peonies (symbol of love and prosperity). A very special pair. Mounted and framed, but the frame is in disrepair and should be replaced. 5.5 x 4.25 inches, 14 x 11 cm each.

19th Century Tibetan Yogin Thangka, 32.5 x 22.5 inches, 82.5 x 57 cm. Most of these thangka were photographed through glass frames, so there may be a little blurriness. This thankga was in an exhibition at the University of Texas Art Museum.

Garuda Mask from Sherdukpen, Arunachal Pradesh, 12.5 inches, 31.5 cm.

Rare Antique Korean Funerary Figure (Kkokdu) with much of its original pigment still intact. From a renowned and published New York collection. One of the finer examples we have seen. 11.5 inches, 29.5 cm.