Antique Ritual

A rare paired set of forged iron throwing knives attributed to the Magali and Fali peoples of Northern Cameroon and Northeastern Nigeria—forms that exist at the intersection of weapo...

As the incense burns, the soft trails of smoke create a calming, almost meditative effect that enhances the atmosphere of any room, whether used during quiet reflection, relaxation, ...

The piece shows an authentic, aged patina with traces of ritual use and fiber wear consistent with early 20th-century examples.

The combination of elaborate costume, theatrical staging, and symbolic ritual objects conveys the spiritual atmosphere as understood by contemporary Western observers.

The surface displays a beautiful aged patina, testament to centuries of ritual use and time-worn serenity. A fine example of Japanese metal artistry, combining balance, form, and spi...

During the era of George IV, tea drinking had become a deeply embedded social ritual, and beautifully crafted caddies were often displayed prominently in drawing rooms and parlors.

This sculptural ceramic object is a Chinese oil lamp from the late Ming dynasty, originally used in altar displays for Buddhist ceremonies and ritual offerings. The vessel is a varia...

AGLA is formed from the initial letters of a Hebrew phrase drawn from Kabbalistic tradition: Attah Gibbor Leolam Adonai (with several documented variants), a sacred formula employed ...

The interlocking ring motif, symbolizing longevity, reflects the cultural significance of communal wine rituals. Finished in deep lacquer, this heirloom-quality table exemplifies str...

Executed with crisp linear work and subtle tonal modulation, the print exemplifies Alken’s mastery of sporting subjects and his acute observation of equestrian movement and field spo...

A striking expression of pre-colonial value systems, this Igbo iron currency knife from southeastern Nigeria operates at the intersection of economy, ritual, and sculpture. Forged by...

Japanese taiko drums come in many sizes, from large drums used in festivals and Shinto rituals to smaller drums used for indoor ceremonies, performing arts, and local events.

.”, the work sits comfortably within the tradition of late Victorian and Edwardian sporting painters such as George Paice and John Sturgess, whose works similarly celebrate the ritua...

An instructive antiquarian plate illustrating a carefully arranged selection of ancient lighting devices and related domestic implements, including oil lamps (lucerne), suspended lam...

The upper register shows mythological or courtly women accompanied by symbolic attributes—mirrors, staffs, and ritual objects—while the lower register presents elegantly draped queen...

Tucked away from view in a secret alcove or shrine, the figure was used in sacred divination rituals and only seen by a select few. Bits of thread and layered material encrust the su...

Such figures were traditionally created as part of large three-dimensional mandalas, originally comprising dozens of related deities arranged for ritual and devotional use within tem...

Beautiful in its imperfection, this green glazed lidded jar from Yunnan province is an offering vessel, or spirit jar, originally filled with ritual offerings such as coins, shells, ...

The figure is hollowed, a traditional technique that lightens the piece and may enhance its ritual significance. Likely dating from the late 19th, it reflects the skilled craftsmansh...

Known broadly as a hunga munga, this form transcends utility, occupying the rare territory between weapon, insignia, and ritual object. Forged by hand from iron, the composition is ...

These kinds welcome visitors to stop and bow in a respectful, humble manner to perform purification of body and soul ritual.   Lifetime guarantee of authenticity: All of our Asian wo...

Designed to cover and keep warm substantial joints of meat, this dome speaks to the ritual and ceremony of Regency table service. Today, it makes an impressive statement on a dining ...

The upper register shows mythological or courtly women accompanied by symbolic attributes—mirrors, staffs, and ritual objects—while the lower register presents elegantly draped queen...

Mummies of Ibis and Skeletal Remains, Egypt, Antique Engraving, c.1802 This finely engraved plate depicts a remarkable selection of mummified ibis birds alongside skeletal remains a...

Pietro Longhi was the leading interpreter of genre painting in eighteenth-century Venice, renowned for his sharp and affectionate observation of the customs and rituals of Venetian s...

Below, the slant‑front desk opens to reveal a thoughtfully arranged interior of pigeonholes and small drawers, each one shaped to hold letters, papers, and writing tools; an intimate...

The compositions are warm and narrative in nature, capturing everyday elegance and quiet social ritual typical of the period. Both paintings display rich, time-softened coloration an...

Unlike Couse's more formal studio interiors or narrative scenes depicting Pueblo men engaged in traditional crafts or rituals, this painting captures a lone Native woman in a moment ...

Water is also ubiquitous in temple cult rituals, used for both purification and as a liquid offering cf.

The composition reflects neoclassical antiquarian interests, particularly the study of ancient customs, military practice, and ritual gesture. The figures are characterised by simpl...

It is a fascinating subject, which has ancient origins, specifically in the propitiatory celebrations that took place at the end of the grape harvest as a ritual of thanksgiving and ...

Traditionally used for serving gahwa (Arabic coffee) as a symbol of hospitality and cultural ritual, the Dallah holds strong significance throughout the Middle East.

A strikingly darkly patinated and geometrically inscribed ritual mask made by the Senoufo people of the Ivory Coast.

A striking Tibetan ritual trumpet, traditionally known as a kangling, crafted from a human femur bone and adorned with low content silver metalwork and mounted coral beads.

This authentic Nuo Chinese mask is a striking example of traditional folk art rooted in ancient ritual and theatrical performance. Hand-carved from wood and richly painted in bold bl...

Historical Context: The Ritual of the Fruit Cooler The Lubbock service is frequently cited by historians as the "gold standard" for 19th-century botanical porcelain.

Bronze vessels from the same period were commonly used as ritual implements, offering containers, or decorative objects, and this piece is considered an example of such usage.

Carved in luminous pale marble, likely Carrara, each urn is encircled by a richly modeled Bacchanalian frieze, depicting nude male figures engaged in ritual, music, and revelry assoc...

During the 19th century, especially after China's forced opening to foreign trade, these images proliferated as visual documents of ritual life, highly valued today for their ethnogr...

Maenads were the female followers of Dionysus, known for their ecstatic dancing and ritual frenzy during the Dionysian rites. In both myth and art, they embodied the untamed power of...

In 19th century France, the tea ceremony represented an important social ritual, particularly among aristocratic and upper-class women who presided over afternoon gatherings.

Likely used as a serving dish for ritual food offerings, the small bowl has a quatrefoil form reminiscent of a cloud, with gently upturned sides and a short footed base.

A wonderful estate find, this sterling lorgnette is as much a decorative object as it is a glimpse into the social rituals and style of a bygone era. The pair also fold into a Broo...

The combination of symbolic form, color, and purpose makes it a poignant artifact of Chinese ritual practice. Condition: Several visible cracks, consistent with age and ceremonial u...

Sculptures of this type were produced in limited numbers and were often used in temple rituals celebrating Buddha’s Birthday, making well-preserved examples especially desirable.

Her hands are held in a meditative mudra, holding a ritual object, while sinuous ornamental forms extend gracefully from either side of the base.

This antique copper Tibetan horn, known as a Dungchen, is a fascinating and authentic ritual instrument used in Tibetan Buddhist ceremonies.

More than a functional service, this set is a testament to the refined dining rituals of fin‑de‑siècle Austria, where specialised tableware expressed both status and aesthetic sophis...

This sculptural ceramic object is a Chinese oil lamp from the late Ming dynasty, originally used in altar displays for Buddhist ceremonies and ritual offerings. The vessel is a varia...

Such incense burners, or thymiaterions, were popular items among the Etruscans, used in ritual settings at temples, weddings and funerals, and were often buried with their owner for ...

A central huntsman raises his hat in triumph, his gesture echoing the ritualized celebration of the chase, as dogs leap the fence and riders rein in their horses behind.

Each one is decorated in polychrome enamel with different ancient censers and ritual vessels filled with blooming peonies and flowering bonsai trees in the Famille Rose color palette...

Ferrario’s encyclopedic project sought to visually document world civilizations through costume, ritual objects, architecture, and social practices, combining artistic craftsmanship ...

The interior would traditionally contain fitted compartments for separating green and black teas, underscoring both its practical function and its role in the ritual of tea service. ...

A fine and rare antique Khorassan pictorial carpet depicting a panoply of animals arranged in horizontal rows on a pistachio green background, appearing as caught in a ritual dance. ...

It functions equally well as a wall-mounted object or focal piece, bringing a sense of history, ritual, and indigenous artistry into a contemporary interior.  

Antique Buddhist Tibetan Meditation Prayer Bell with Vajra. A Bronze ritual bell "DRILBU" in Tibetan or commonly known as "Ghanta".