Afghan Antiquities

Stunning and one of a kind Buddha sculpture. There are only very few people in the world who can accurately date this hand carved marble or granite Japanese Buddha head...

Bucket burns perfume in bronze resting on three feet. The body is sculpted with a band frieze with an archaic motif. Two inverted U-shaped handles punctuate the edge. This type of bronze bucket was cast with lost wax from molds in several parts and assembled when the piece was poured, these are the traces that can be seen on the back of the bucket. . The bronze has a beautiful green and dark gray excavation patina. This perfume burner was originally to have longer feet, no doubt arched, cut very long ago since the place of the cut has the same patina as the rest of the piece. China Zhou Dynasty...

Used in Thailand as temple roof finials or in pairs at entrances to guard against evil spirits and natural disasters, the powerful, mystical naga ar...

Ancient Luristan bronze sword with green patina. Luristan bronze comes from the province of Lorestan, a region of nowadays Western Iran in the Zagros Mountains. With its rich and lo...

This impressive bust is depicted with head turned slightly to the right and gaze lifted. His eyes are articulated, with the pupils indicated with a drill, giving the face a striking realism. The shoulders are draped with a cloak. Straight brows sit beneath a mass of thickly curling hair, which continues to a full beard. It is worked with great skill, evident in the heavy drill work articulating and highlighting the voluminous curls, and the highly polished surfaces, giving the appearance of soft skin. The contrast between these textures gives a chiaroscuro affect which is one of the main traits of the best Antonine busts. Roman marble portraits reached their apotheosis of craftmanship and technique under the Antonine emperors, as is evidenced in this masterful bust. The evolution of the style may be traced back to the emperor Hadrian, who was the first emperor to wear a full beard. The articulation of pupils and iris appears on busts of his lover Antinous, a novelty which continued in later Antonine portraits, such as this one. The features of this bust point to a possible identification of Emperor Lucius Verus...

Ancient Luristan bronze sword with nice patina. Luristan bronze comes from the province of Lorestan, a region of nowadays Western Iran in the ...

Ancient Luristan bronze sword with nice patina. Luristan bronze comes from the province of Lorestan, a region of nowadays Western Iran in the Zagros Mountains. With its rich and lon...

Ancient Luristan bronze spear with excellent green patina. Luristan bronze comes from the province of Lorestan, a region of nowadays Western Iran in the Zagros Mountains. With its r...

Ancient Carved Stone Buddha Head Sculpture, Provenance Royal-Athena Galleries NY Offered for sale is an ancient carved stone Buddha head sculpture which was acquired at Royal-Athena...

A magnificent and large early Tang dynasty (618-906 AD) model of a prancing or dancing horse, circa 7th century. The majestic animal is caught mid-motion, one leg raised, head grace...

A large antique Tibetan Buddha shrine or prayer box (also known as Gau) which encases a painted terracotta Buddha figure, all wrapped in a hand embroidered quilted silk brocade. This was used as traveling shrine and carried on one's person when away from home. Beginning with the “om” written on the left hand side of this traveling shrine, an itinerant Tibetan monk once traced his fingers clockwise over the embossed characters. As he did this, he recited "om ma ni padh mey hum," the universal Tibetan Buddhist prayer for the well-being of all sentient beings. Known as a Gau, this portable shrine...

Ancient Luristan bronze spear with excellent green patina. Luristan bronze comes from the province of Lorestan, a region of nowadays Western I...