Indian Carved Yellow Sandstone Yoni Bowl, 19th Century or Earlier

A large and magnificent cast bronze image of the Medicine Buddha, Bhaisajyaguru, rendered in the Burmese Pagan style, and most likely based on a period example that was either damaged or lost, 19th century, Burma or Thailand. He can be identified as the Medicine Buddha by the hand that rests in his lap, with his middle finger touching the thumb. A medicine pot or fruit stem would originally have been placed in his upturned palm. The face of this Buddha has been sculpted masterfully. He has a beautiful heart shaped face topped by hair neatly arranged in the typical "snail shell curls", and surmounted by a high ushnisha. Long, pendulous earlobes frame his face, a symbol of his princely past. He gazes serenely outwards from heavily lidded, downcast eyes, a content smile upon his full, lush lips. The Buddha is portrayed seated in vajrasana (full lotus position), his elegant hands displayed in varada mudra, the gesture of granting favors and fulfilling wishes. Long, exquisite fingers extended, the thumb and middle finger touching in a gesture of compassion. He is clothed in a simple kasaya wrapped around his body and over one shoulder, leaving the shoulder and part of his chest bare. The diaphanous garment clings to his body, outlining his well proportioned and graceful, almost sensuous, form. The excess material pooled in neat pleats in front of him. A sash thrown over his shoulder. He sits upon a double lotus base upon a raised platform. The platform features two kneeling attendants, usually interpreted as the monks Ananda and Kasyapa. Between them is a circular disc representing the Wheel of Dharma. Contained in the disk is a flower with eight petals, symbolizing the eightfold path, one of the principle teachings of the Buddha. The sides and back of the platform featuring a series of singha, or lions, representative of the Buddha's royal past. An applied lacquer patina covers the entirety of the image. Large deposits of ash (from incense) are present between the curls of the hair, as well as some the other crevices, indicating this image was the subject of worship for many years. Bhaisajyaguru, also called the Medicine Buddha, or Buddha of Healing, is a revered figure in the Buddhist pantheon as a master able to cure suffering, both physical and spiritual, through his teachings. The Pagan Empire ruled most of present day Burma (Myanmar) from 849 to 1297. The capital, Bagan, served as a both the center of government and religion, where Buddhism reigned supreme. Bagan was also at a crossroads of the Buddhist world, with influence from India, Nepal, Tibet, China, and even Indonesia shaping their culture. As such, Pagan Buddha...

A fine and well carved Chinese spinach jade incense tool vase, Qing Dynasty, Qianlong or Jiaqing Period, 18th/19th century, China. The small jade vase ...

A fine Japanese Satsuma stoneware incense burner, koro, Meiji Period, late 19th century, Japan. The koro of square shape with curved sides,...

A fine and elegant Japanese Satsuma tripod incense burner, koro, with pierced metal lid, signed Eizan (?) Meiji Period, late 19th century, Japan. The koro, or censer, features a stoneware body of slightly compressed globular form, supported on three short and squat legs. The wide mouth with a recessed metal rim, and topped by an openwork metal lid topped with overlapping chrysanthemum blossoms of silver repousse. The body of the koro finely painted with fan shaped cartouches. The fans in the foreground with sprays of blossoming chrysanthemum. The fans in the background with intricate geometric brocade designs. The shoulder of the incense burner decorated with cartouches formed as stylized chrysanthemum petals, and intricately decorated with geometric and floral brocade designs. The painting finely done in raised gilt and polychrome enamels, including the highly desirable gosu blue...

A small Indonesian teak container or vessel, hand carved off a single piece of teak wood. Decorated lid with carved concentric circles, circa 1890.

Elaborately Carved and Finely Detailed Double Sided Gilded Chinese Sign that Announces the Mid Autumn Chinese Festival (a.k.a. Moon Cakes Festival).

An early 20th century hexagonal storage canister hand-hammered on distressed tin from India. This canister adopts an hexagonal shape with a curving b...

19th Century (Meiji Period) Japanese bronze vase. It is realistically cast as a gnarled pine tree trunk with vines growing around it.