Aluminum Metalwork

A Japanese antique display stand crafted from ash wood and dating from the 1920s–1940s. Delicate openwork carved into the legs allows light to pass through softly, giving the piece a...

A Japanese antique single-slab board crafted from zelkova and dating to the 1940s. The wood grain is strikingly beautiful—bold, flowing, and expressive—giving the piece a sculptural ...

This is an old Japanese stone object. This stone object has a beautiful black and beige gradation. An art object that gives you a sense of wabi-s...

Vintage Large Brass Duck "Decoy" Decorative Sculpture. Handcrafted decorative vintage collectible brass duck shape sculpture. Beautiful handcrafted large ca...

A Japanese antique storage and display cabinet crafted entirely from solid Japanese cedar, dating from the 1920s–1940s. Originally used as a merchandise display shelf in a long-estab...

I bought a very attractive copper tray. This is an item that was once used as a gong. In other words, it was used as a percussion instrument. It was also used in temples. The materi...

Large engraved antique Middle Eastern Persian wall hanging metal tray, platter. A large metal decorative centerpiece or wall hanging. Beautiful handmade craftsmanship. A fine Persian Qajar large heavy metal round tray with tinned surface covered in etched geometric, hand chased floral and Persian, Middle Eastern scenes decorations. Nicely handcrafted and carved with floral details and a figural scene with Kings, animals and various oother figures. Medallions around with different scenes of men on horses and animals. A large frise around with Arabic, Persian Kufic writing. Persian Middle Eastern metal Islamic work Qajar style tinned copper, silvered, and blackened metal. Metal silver color and black hammered antique Persian wall hanging decorative tray. Has a hook in the back for hanging. Highest craftsmanship according to old tradition. Very decorative embossed brass tray from Persian Qajar era, nice combination of traditional designs as deer, birds, flowers, Dervish or opium pipe. Handsomely intertwined with calligraphic inscriptions, this brass plate/tray is remarkable mix of Qajar patterns. Late 19th, eraly 20th century Qajar era Persian Islamic tray with engraved figures and floral designs. Engraving(Ghalam Zani...

Anglo Raj hanging polished brass tray. Finely hand-chased, hand-cut and hand-hammered with floral repousse designs. The middle of the tray is a lar...

This cast iron piece features a statuary male Chinese guardian Lion (Foo Dog) proudly balancing both hands atop an embroidered ball, representing supremac...

A Monumental Gilt-Lacquered Bronze Ornamental Buddha Sculpture of Vajravidarana: A Masterpiece of Sino-Tibetan Craftsmanship, Late 19th Century, Qing Dynasty This monumental gilt-lacquered bronze ornamental sculpture of Vajravidarana is an extraordinary and commanding piece of art, showcasing the pinnacle of Sino-Tibetan craftsmanship from the late 19th century. The figure of Vajravidarana, a powerful purification deity in Tibetan Buddhism, is meticulously sculpted to embody both spiritual authority and artistic excellence. Vajravidarana is primarily known for his role in removing spiritual impurities and negativities. Unlike other deities associated with wisdom or compassion, Vajravidarana’s function is centered on purification and healing. He is typically depicted holding a vajra and a bell, symbolizing the cutting away of delusions and the resonance of divine truth. In this striking sculpture, Vajravidarana is shown holding a vishva vajra (the double vajra), a unique and powerful variation of the traditional iconography, which signifies ultimate protection and the dispelling of negative karma. Vajravidarana: The Supreme Purifier and Protector Vajravidarana is revered in Tibetan Buddhism as the deity of spiritual purification, called upon to cleanse practitioners of defilements and negative influences. His vajra represents the indestructibility of truth, while his bell signifies the wisdom that resonates through purification rituals. In this sculpture, the presence of the vishva vajra, or double vajra, enhances his association with supreme protection, ensuring the destruction of all spiritual obstacles and afflictions. The figure’s powerful yet composed expression conveys a sense of unwavering resolve and divine authority. His posture, along with the carefully sculpted details of his robes and ornaments, highlights his function as a guardian against impurity. The inclusion of the vishva vajra rather than the usual single vajra reinforces his role as a supreme protector, capable of dispelling all forms of negativity and restoring balance. Symbolism of the Mantras and Aureole: Unlike deities that embody wisdom through duality, Vajravidarana’s iconography is centered on purification and exorcism. The aureole surrounding him is inscribed with sacred purification mantras rather than depictions of a consort. These mantras emphasize his function as a remover of obstacles and impurities, reinforcing his role in Buddhist healing rituals. The presence of the sacred inscriptions elevates the sculpture’s spiritual significance, making it a focal point for meditation and ritual purification. Practitioners often visualize Vajravidarana radiating purifying light, dissolving afflictions and negative karma. This theme is mirrored in the sculptural repetition of the purification symbols on the aureole, reinforcing the deity’s role as a divine cleanser. Gilt-Lacquered Bronze: The Artistry of Sino-Tibetan Metalwork: The craftsmanship of this monumental figure reflects the expertise of late 19th-century Sino-Tibetan metalwork, where traditional Tibetan themes were infused with Chinese artistic sensibilities. Cast in bronze and finished with a rich gilt lacquer, the statue has an otherworldly glow, giving it an ethereal, almost divine presence. The gilding process—applied with exceptional skill—gives the sculpture a striking luminosity that enhances the fine details of the facial features, flowing robes, jewelry, and other elements of the deity’s attire. The technique employed to create this figure speaks to the high level of craftsmanship that flourished during the late Qing Dynasty and early modern Tibetan art. The ornate details of the robes and the fine texture of the sculpture highlight the exceptional skill of the artisans who brought this work to life. The use of gold and lacquer not only reflects the preciousness of the sculpture but also its spiritual significance as an object meant to inspire reverence and meditation. An Ornamental Sculpture of Monumental Scale: Unlike smaller devotional objects, this sculpture is designed as an ornamental masterpiece, intended to make a grand visual and spiritual statement. Its monumental size allows it to dominate any space, offering a commanding presence that is both physically and symbolically impressive. In Buddhist practice, large sculptures of this nature are often placed in temples or meditation halls, where their imposing size and serene presence would encourage contemplation and devotion. The grand scale of the statue further amplifies the spiritual power it is meant to convey. As a representation of Vajravidarana, it is not only a physical object of beauty but also a conduit for meditation, purification, and enlightenment. The scale of the sculpture also emphasizes the divine stature of the deity, highlighting his importance in the Buddhist tradition as the ultimate force for spiritual cleansing and protection. Provenance: Acquired in China in circa 1900 1905 Private Buddhist Temple, Northeast, USA Private Sale Solomon Treasure...

A Japanese antique storage cabinet crafted from cedar, dating from the 1920s–1940s. Its construction is striking in its simplicity—an almost disciplined clarity that reflects the mak...

A Japanese antique desk crafted from cherry and ash wood, dating from the 1930s–1940s. The piece has a gentle, almost endearing presence—something that reveals itself slowly the long...