Indian and Nepalese Ethnic and Tribal Art and Crafts

A Unique Collection of Old, Rare and Beautiful Sacred, Ceremonial and Ritual Artefacts for Sale


NEPALAntique Wood Carving of Tara

 

 

Antique Wood Carving of Tara – Nepal

This nice little 19th Century carving of Tara probably came from a lintel over the doorway of an old house in Kathmandu, Nepal.  It is 20cm/8 inches tall and carved in a dense hardwood.

PRICE: £140.00 (US$231)


Antique Wood Carving of Hanuman – Nepal

 

NEPAL

Antique Wood Carving of Hanuman – Nepal

This charming little 19th Century relief carving of Hanoman, the popular Hindu monkey deity, shows him tearing his chest open to reveal that Rama and Sita are literally in his heart (Ramayana).  It probably came from a lintel over the doorway of an old Nepalese house (22cm/8.5 inches).

PRICE: £215.00 (US$355)


 

Antique Bronze Indian Temple Toy – Horse and Mounted Soldier on WheelsINDIA

Bronze Indian Temple Toy Horse
and Mounted Soldier on Wheels

A bronze Buddhist Temple Toy of a mounted and turbanned Calvary officer with his sabre drawn.  Traditionally kept in a temple for children to play with, this unique hand-poured and highly detailed bronze toy is in excellent condition, with all four wheels working, and a fabulous patina.  It stands about 13cm/5.5 inches high, 12cm/4.75 inches long, and has a wheel base of about 8cm/3 inches.  It was purchased in Jaipur, Rajasthan in the late 1980s.

PRICE: £120.00 (US$198)

SOLD



Antique Himalayan Elephant Mask from Nepal

 

 

NEPAL

 

 

Antique Himalayan Elephant Mask from Nepal (26x22cm/10x8.5 inches)

A carved hardwood elephant mask with a deeply encrusted black patina resulting from years and years of exposure to smoke and soot from storage in the loft of a house.  The elephant’s small trunk and its endearing and youthful innocence suggest it was intended to represent a young elephant. Very good condition with excellent patina.

PRICE: £295.00 (US$472)


Antique Himalayan Shaman Mask from Nepal NEPAL

 

Antique Himalayan Shaman Mask from Nepal (28x17x12cm/11x6.5x4.5 inches)

This powerful and unusual mask may represent a female shaman as it features metal facial ornamentation including a star-shaped nose stud, a nose ring and earrings (nose rings are a common feature of the Tamang tribe but the origin of this mask is uncertain).  The forehead has 3 carved lines which may represent tribal markings, and there are several deliberately gauged holes on the top of the head and cheek that probably served some decorative or ritual purpose.  The mask is carved in a heavy hardwood and has the look and feel of considerable age and usage (Circa 1800s).

PRICE: £450.00 (US$742)


Carved Elephant and Rider from Nepal

NEPAL

 

 

Carved Elephant and Rider from Nepal (28x17x12cm/11x6.5x4.5 inches)

A nice example of Nepalese folk art from the1950s or perhaps earlier.  Small holes in the elephant’s ears may have been to hold flowers. Carved in hardwood and in excellent condition.

PRICE: £105.00 (US$173)


Old Himalayan Tiger Mask from Nepal NEPAL

 

 

Old Himalayan Tiger Mask from Nepal

A large old Nepalese tiger mask with his jaws wide open and his teeth displayed. Carved in a softwood to keep weight to a minimum (35x23x16cm/14x9x6 inches).

PRICE: £350.00 (US$577)



NEPALHimalayan Demon Mask from Nepal

Antique Himalayan Demon Mask from Nepal

Antique Himalayan Demon Mask from Nepal with carved fangs and teeth, carved facial hair around the mouth, pronounced nose, cheeks and eyebrows, stylized ears and a carved hair border to the top of the head.  The reverse side of the mask is particularly interesting.  It is very shallow, almost flat...so a twisted coil of rag has been fastened to it to create a space for the wearer’s nose and to cushion his face.  Two holes have been carved into the nostrils to allow the wearer to breathe, and a length of fine plaited string (not shown in the photo) made from natural fibre is attached to the back to hold the mask onto the head.

This remarkable hardwood demon mask has considerable character and shows clear evidence of use and considerable age.  The mask measures 23x19cm/9x7.5 inches. It was collected in Nepal in the late 1980s and is in excellent condition, with a nice patina (Circa 1800s).  It is one of two stylistically similar masks acquired together (see below).

PRICE: £495.00 (US$817)


Himalayan Shaman Mask from Nepal NEPAL

Antique Himalayan Shaman Mask from Nepal
(28x17/11x7 inches)

Antique Himalayan Shaman Mask from Nepal with two pairs of eyes, carved teeth, pronounced nose and cheeks, ears, and incised lines on the forehead.  There are a number of things that make this mask especially interesting - in particular the second set of plugged eyes close to the forehead.  It is not known if this was originally a four –eyed demon mask or whether the carver thought that the first set were too high on the head and to decided to start again.  If the mask were to be positioned on the face so that the wearer’s tongue could be pushed through the mouth, then the lower (open) eyes would be in line with his own.  The small hole slightly below and to the side of the eyes is a result of a missing chip of wood from the back...clearly damaged long ago and then ignored.

The reverse side has an unusual carved bar across the mask at forehead height, carved from the same single piece of wood as the rest of the mask.  Its purpose appears to be to create a space to accommodate the wearer’s nose, rather than have it squashed flat against the wood.  Lower down, close to the chin, a flat and rusty iron pin spans an old crack.  We understand that it was the custom for tribal communities to maintain and repair important traditional and historic ceremonial masks rather than re-carve them...making this mask all the more important.

This remarkable hardwood demon mask has considerable character and shows clear evidence of use and considerable age, probably dating from the 1800s.  It was collected in Nepal in the late 1980s and is in excellent condition, with a nice patina.  This mask is one of two stylistically similar masks acquired together (see above).

PRICE: £495.00 (US$817)


Old Terracotta Ram Oil Lamp from NepalNEPAL

 

 

Old Terracotta Ram Oil Lamp from Nepal (20x12cm/8x5 inches)

A very old handmade Nepalese terracotta oil lamp in the form of a Ram.  A pottery cone on the ram’s back supports the wick, and lifts off to facilitate filling the body with oil.  Purchased from a Kathmandu antique shop in 1991.  Excellent condition.

PRICE: £85.00 (US$140)


Old Dhokra Tribal Horseman

INDIA

 

Old Dhokra Tribal Horseman (20x20cm/8x8 inches)

An ornate brass Dhokra Damar tribal horseman from west Bengal - a unique creation that has been modelled in wax and cast in metal using the traditional lost wax technique.  Purchased in Rajasthan in 1989.

The process is described in Wikipedia as follows:

The first task in the lost wax hollow casting process consists of developing a clay core which is roughly the shape of the final cast image. Next, the clay core is covered by a layer of wax composed of pure bee’s wax, resin from the tree Damara orientalis, and nut oil. The wax is then shaped and carved in all its finer details of design and decorations. It is then covered with layers of clay, which takes the negative form of the wax on the inside, thus becoming a mould for the metal that will be poured inside it. Drain ducts are left for the wax, which melts away when the clay is cooked. The wax is then replaced by the molten metal, often using brass scrap as basic raw material. The liquid metal poured in hardens between the core and the inner surface of the mould. The metal fills the mould and takes the same shape as the wax. The outer layer of clay is then chipped off and the metal icon is polished and finished as desired.

PRICE: £95.00 (US$157)


Old Dhokra Elephant and Rider

INDIA

 

 

 

Old Dhokra Elephant and Rider (19x16cm/7.5x6.5 inches)

An ornate brass Dhokra Damar tribal Elephant and Rider from west Bengal - a unique creation that has been modelled in wax and cast in metal using the traditional lost wax technique. Purchased in Rajasthan in 1989.

PRICE: £95.00 (US$157)

 


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SHIPPING & DELIVERY

All items are automatically charged for shipping and insurance at a flat rate of £5.00 (about $8) on checkout.  This is generally sufficient for small and light items shipped to UK and European destinations, and we happily cover the cost of any shortfall ourselves.  Small and light items may also be shipped to non-european destinations at no extra cost.  Orders are usually dispatched with 24 hours.

Bulky or heavy items will be subject to additional shipping charges and insurance, and customers will later be invoiced separately for any shortfall once the actual cost is known (usually after posting).  Shipping is always charged AT COST and in most cases it is reasonable and proportional to the value of the item. We will always combine multiple purchases and ship together to reduce costs.

If you are considering purchasing a large or heavy item and you are concerned about additional shipping charges, please email via our contact page and we will obtain an estimate for you before you purchase.

If you are NOT unduly worried we will obtain the best shipping rate available to us and immediately ship the item to you in good faith, and later send you an invoice for the the shortfall.  This is the norm for most, if not all, of our customers.  In our experience shipping costs to USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand have been predictable, proportional and reasonable, and we have had no complaints to date.