MUZEION Decorative Objects

Mummy mask with golden complexion. He wears a striated tripartite wig retained by a knotted headband and decorated on the front with an oudjat (eye of horus) and globules (circles); ...

Monumental upper Sarcophagus lid in polychrome wood. Late period, Saïte dynasty 711- 332 BC. Provenance: Private European Collection.

Black Granite Maharaja Torso with a big pearl necklace on his powerful chest showing pranayama respirations and a crown on the forehead. Long mustache and royal attributes. Maharaja is sanskrit for "great ruler" or "great king". This beautiful piece features a custom polished green ubatuba granite base. The tradition of Indian sculpture is the oldest in the world, dating back to the Indus Valley...

Elegant sandstone sculpture of apsara playing sitar with missing arms with a beautiful face and a high tiara and pleated robes. It comes with a custom Lucite base. Weight: 21.3 lb...

Sandstone sculpture of Apsara playing sitar with dancing pose in front of a garland arch. Covered with rests of stucco and old painting with beautiful face expression and flower lotus tiara...

Maharaja granite torso with dagger and offerings, bell chain and dhotti.

Complete granite figure of Shiva showing his attributes in a standing hieratic pose, fully dressed and jeweled in royal regalia with tiara on a high pedestal with a flaming halo. Lat...

Southern Costa Rica or Western Panama, circa 800 to 1500 AD. A very fine example of the goldwork of the Veraguas-Chiriqui-Diquis region. A pendant in Carbonera style of a supernatural being, a composite monster with human torso and feline (probably jaguar) head. The figure is set in a frame decorated with little animal heads, one at each corner. The hands have also turned into animal heads. In place of genitalia is a stylized serpent head suspended by a twisted cord that was supposed to continue across the frame. A minor casting accident prevented it form being attached to the frame. A modern goldsmith would solder in two short lengths of twisted wire, but the ancient goldsmith did not have the equipment to make such repair. A double thread ending in spirals goes across the frame behind the neck of the figure, helping to fill up the frame and avoiding a large empty space. The word "thread" reminds us that the twisted and straight cords were, in the original wax model of the pendant really extruded wax threads, turned into metal by the lost wax (cire perdue) process. The braid pattern on the frame is illusory, just two twisted threads of extruded wax laid side by side. The goldsmith made the toes out of extruded wax thread too, very decorative as well. The piece comes with a certificate of authenticity by Mr. Robert Sonin, 5 May 2006. ref. photo roll 3301. A world renowned expert on Pre-Columbian Artifacts...

Southern Costa Rica/Western Panama, circa 800 to 1500 AD. Gold Veraguas-Chiriqui-Diquis twin figure pendant cast by the lost-wax (cire perdu) grasping an imaginary club with their claws, with bat ears and pop out eyes and each figure ending in the shape of a jaguar tooth, symbolizing the power of the jaguar and the ability to see in the dark; The casting process did not go entirely smoothly. Part of his mold, on the side of the proper right figure (viewer's left side), did not fill with metal. The Pre-Columbian goldsmith carried out a superb repair, probably making a wax patch and pouring gate on the gold pendant, then enclosing it in a new mold and pouring in more metal. The patch is hardly visible on the outside. A modern goldsmith, who cannot do it as well, would use his gas torch to solder on a patch. The gold is of such high grade or karat, possibly unalloyed native gold...

Papagayo polychrome pottery bowl, Mandador variety. Round bottomed bowl rests on three animal headed rattle legs. Exterior painted wide band with two stylized plumed serpents of jagu...

Birmania polychrome pottery tripod bowl having hollow rattle, zoomorphic head type feet. Interior painted decoration probably depicts a stylized alligator ...

This glass sculpture by Sergio Galan is richly curved and has beautiful color and texture. The glass has a melody, as if music were captured as a three-dimensional experience. About the artist: Sergio Galan is renowned in Mexico as a master sculptor. His works can currently be found in the Monterrey Museum, the Museum of Mexican History...

This black marble sculpture by Hector Alvarado shows a semicircle that has been carefully developed and abruptly broken, cradled in a strong metal grip. With symbolism galore, this p...

A black marble sun dwarfs the horizon, a glimmering and polished sphere of radiance over a textured mountain peak. This Hector Alvarado piece is bold and hopeful, the promise of new ...

"The Crow". Magnificent minimalistic sculpture by Daniel Serna made from a single block on black marble. Its simplicity mimics a bird in flight. The bird's head rests on a custom bla...

Daniel Serna captures the monotony of city life in a never-ending cycle of ups and downs that are crowded with the same people and curves day after day. However, he also shows the excitement, diversity, and color that individuals contribute to this circle of existence as they bring their own buzz and impact on the world. White marble sculpture...

Numerous tiny houses flock together on the hill as every individual strives to etch a meaning into their existence here on earth. Each house is unique, diff...

Interesting maternity figure in a hieratic pose presenting a young adolescent. Beautiful facial expression, showing wisdom and knowledge. She is sitti...

Rarely is something what it appears to be. We are all layered, as are the decision we make and the paths we choose. We can rest assured, however, that things will turn out how they w...

Nicoya Ceremonial Basalt Stone Seat in Shape of a Jaguar. Published in the Arizona Museum. This large and finely carved example of Costa Rican skill and craftsmanship is in the form of a jaguar which may have been a lineage or clan symbol - as also was the crocodile - according to 16th-century Spanish conquistadors. There are so many features that make this masterpiece so unique. The most realistic depiction is the face with its head captured in a pose that is threatening and fierce. Sculptors in ancient Central America developed elaborate metate forms that were associated with high status and wealth. They were commonly placed within graves of prominent individuals. Certain ancient rituals must have incorporated this activity and required special metates to be created for this purpose. It may have also served as a throne for the ruler, for whom the assurance of the fertility of his land and people would have been paramount. Even today, stone metates...

Nok Terracotta Standing Dignitary Figure in Royal Pose. I-II Century AD. Certificate of Authenticity with TL Test and Passport from Europe. Museum Piece...

Large openwork crest mounted upon a woven basketry cap. The large, square decorative panel bears a central reptilian or stylized crocodile depiction with alternating squared painted ...

A beautiful stylized antelope head used as headdress on ceremonial dances. Retains the old painting and patina over the carved wood. Traded by a professor working in Africa in the 19...

Elegant Standing Court Dignitary with joined hands in blue robes and a bird headdress. Polychrome Traces. When China was unified again, first briefly ...

Abstract and anthropomorphic large figure from the Pie River, located to the east of the Era River. Abstract, anthropomorphic form stands on separate legs with dynamic varying outline, wide hips, and torso leading straight to a rounded head. Figure represents Irivake, the ancestor hero who is considered as the founder of headhunting, also believed to have climbed to the sky and to command lightning. It is enlivened with various curvilinear details highlighted with red and white pigments. The back appears with a collection number in red, and the following: Ipigau (village), Upper Pie River, Papua, P63.20. This is a 'later example', not a first generation piece with several age cracks. It has likely seen field use, but not extensive field use. Provenance: Private New Jersey Collection, ex. Michael Rockefeller...

Bamileke throne made with wood, coated with jute, embroidered with polychrome glass beads, cowrie snails, embroidery with glass beads that are missing in some areas. In the Grassfiel...

Very important “Nwantamtay” dance African mask, consisting of three sections: The upper in plain rectangular shape surmounted by a crescent shape moon, the middle with beautiful geometric triangles in black bitumen and white kaolin, surrounding a red cruciform in the centre of remarkable contrasting colors, and the lower part or face inscribed in a circular space that inspired numbered great artists like Joan Miro, Picasso and Henry Moore of a very strongly solar symbolism, with a projecting protuberance emanating from the forehead like a sculpted bird beak, that descents toward the mouth. Concentric eyes harmonize with the circular mouth, both with of elegant proportions. The whole mask exudes a supreme harmony and perfect balance rarely seen in this pieces. The back-side presents nice ware that attested the ancient origin and traces of animistic ceremonies as the use of animal blood residues. The painting of brown bitumen or cola, the natural colorants in red and ocher tones and the white kaolin are original and do not show any repainted or restored areas, giving a freshness rarely seen in old pieces. This exceptional mask Bwa, of the Hound`e Region in Burkina-Fasso, was used it the transit ceremonies and funerals manifesting the presence of “Do”, name given to their God sons, protectors and powerful spirits. The round face also represents an owl, the curving beak of the bird plants a seed into the sun, like a female sexual vulva being fecundated by the male organ; the eternal symbol of Ying and Yang, masculine and feminine, and the quest of life and death. This mask of Primitive facture can be compared to the one in the celebrated Verite Collection (this one being larger) sold in Paris at the Hotel Drouot, Saturday June 17, Lot 59, for 80,000 Euros and remarkably stands out from the Pierre and Tannia Matisse sold in Sotheby’s, New York in May 13, 2011. Another similar piece was published in: “Arman et l’art africain...

A South Coast wood ceremonial leeboard, Ica Valley region, Late Intermediate Horizon, ca. A.D. 1100-1400. This large 'remo' made from the hard algarrobo wood, features twelve figure...

A rare, sheet silver human face mask with simple relief facial features including large, almond shaped eyes and downturned mouth. Classic stepped pyramid headdress with round, very t...

A European functionary, a cane in his right hand, carries a ledger in his left, he wears a visored CAP, collar and tie. He is moustached and has a cigar in his jacket pocket. Probab...