Anglo-Indian Antiquities

Late 19th century silver deer box from India.

Tibetan Traveling Prayer Shrine Gau. A large antique Tibetan Buddha shrine or prayer box (also known as Gau) which would encases a Buddha figure...

A magnificent 17th century Ceremonial Sri Lankan Kastane sword with Rhino handle and gold and silver Portuguese inlayed blade. A kasthane is a short traditional ceremonial or decorative single-edged Sri Lankan sword. The sword is featured in the Flag of Sri Lanka. The main aspect of this Kastane Hilts shows the central monster accompanied by supporting minor iconic forms and the peculiar guard arrangement incorporating Buddhist style Vajra quillons. The scabbard of this Kastane sword is made of Rhino horn and is decorated with brass, silver and gold. It is a testament to the skill of the traditional craftsmen operating in Sri Lankas ancient Royal Sword Workshops. The sword measures 75cm in length The Dutch East India Company (VOC or Vereenigde Oost-indische Compagnie in Dutch) regularly gifted swords to the Kandyan court as part of their strategy to protect their trading privileges. Many of these swords had the traditional Sinhalese decoration but with VOC-marked blades. From 1467 to 1818, Kandy was an independent kingdom in Ceylon—present-day Sri Lanka. In the 18th century, the Kingdom of Kandy was recognized for its outstanding metalwork and craftsmanship. Unfortunately, their fine metalworking came to an end when Kandy fell under British rule in the early 19th century. The kasthane served as symbols of rank and office, presented by the king to noblemen and local chieftains. The silver-mounted kasthane was reserved for the Adigar, the highest officials or feudal lords who also acted as ministers and governors. It also served as a diplomatic gift from the court to European visitors. It was a Sri Lankan tradition to wear the kasthane as a symbol of rank to mark ceremonial occasions. However, the sword type, with an animal-decorated hilt and curved blade, was of European origin. It has its roots in the European hunting swords...

Nice wooden seeden with engraved patterns From Rajasthan

Delightful Indian wood polychromed box used for thé storage of jewelry Very Nice using of engraved iron

Kashmiri silver betel nut box, Khaas Daan, late 19th century Betel-chewing is a leisure pastime practiced since ancient times in many parts of ...

Welded cast iron toy from the Indian 900s depicting a chariot with a square canopy and conical dome. We can identify this toy-statue as a depiction of Krishna’s Rath Gita (Bhagavad Gita...

PRESENTING a STUNNING and HIGHLY DESIRABLE and IMPORTANT 19C Reverse Glass Painting of Shiva, Parvati and Ganesh from the Pal Collection. This piece has impeccable Provenance! It was purchased by a Private Dallas Collector at Christie’s New York Auction on 20th March 2008. Sale Number 2112, Lot No. 290. Christie’s operate a twice yearly auction of Southeast Asian Art & Antiquities in New York in the months of March and September. This sale was titled “The Scholar’s Vision: The Pal Family Collection”. The painting was described as “A reverse glass painting of Shiva, Parvati and Ganesh – India, Maharashtra, 19th Century. The holy family seated on the floor, mother and child in the lap of Shiva, with a red background and blue borders. Opaque pigments and metal leaf on glass. 12 x 16 in. (30.4 x 40.6 cm.) Exhibited: Durga: Avenging Goddess, Nurturing Mother, Norton Simon Museum of Art, 7 October 2005 – 27 March 2006″. It carried an Auction estimate of USD 2,500 to USD 3,500 and Sold for USD 2,500 (not including Buyers Premium). Allowing for inflation alone this would be over $4,300 in today’s value. At highest estimate, this would equate to over $6k in today’s value. As an added bonus and proof of authenticity the painting still retains it’s original Christie’s Lot No. Label. It has substantially increased in value over the years as a RARE piece from the ‘renowned’ Pal Family Collection and a RARE piece of antique Asian Indian...