VISHNU
AS416
AS416
Culture, Origin: South India/ Tamil Nadu, 18/19th Century
Material: bronze
Dimensions: 25cm
Provenance: Private Collection, UK
Notes: The standing two armed deity holding conch. Dressed in well detailed costume, jewellery on a lotus pedestal. Allover crisp casting.
Price: £1200
Material: bronze
Dimensions: 25cm
Provenance: Private Collection, UK
Notes: The standing two armed deity holding conch. Dressed in well detailed costume, jewellery on a lotus pedestal. Allover crisp casting.
Price: £1200
HUQQA BASE
AS379
AS379
Culture, Origin: Baltistan or Ladakh, Upper Indus Valley, 19th Century.
Material: copper, brass.
Dimensions: 21cm
Provenance: Private Collection, UK
Notes, Literature: This curiously-shaped huqqa derives its shape from the horns of yaks, creatures indigenous to the plateaux of Kashmir. It is thanks to a traveller's account by the Count and Countess de Ujfalvy published in 1883 that we have a description of the existence of such huqqas from Skardo in Baltistan, which were also produced in wood and steel. The overlaid designs vary but usually centre on floral motifs (see Mark Zebrowski, Gold, Silver & Bronze From Mughal India, London, 1997, pp.243-4, nos. 417 & 418).
Price: POA
Material: copper, brass.
Dimensions: 21cm
Provenance: Private Collection, UK
Notes, Literature: This curiously-shaped huqqa derives its shape from the horns of yaks, creatures indigenous to the plateaux of Kashmir. It is thanks to a traveller's account by the Count and Countess de Ujfalvy published in 1883 that we have a description of the existence of such huqqas from Skardo in Baltistan, which were also produced in wood and steel. The overlaid designs vary but usually centre on floral motifs (see Mark Zebrowski, Gold, Silver & Bronze From Mughal India, London, 1997, pp.243-4, nos. 417 & 418).
Price: POA
PALANQUIN POLE FINIALS
AS395
AS395
Culture, Origin: Souther India, 19th Century.
Material: bronze
Dimensions: 20cm long
Provenance: Deceased estate, UK
Notes, Literature: Palanquin derives its name from Sanskrit term ‘palanki’ for bed or couch, and Anglicised to ‘Palan Queen’. Cast bronze finials were placed at the pole ends of the palki (the Hindi term) used by several bearers to carry the shuttered compartment. These finials were in the form of birds, flowers, animals as well as figures from mythology and folklore. Finials also represented various demigods and demons, like this pair which represenets a Yali (half lion half human). The use of finials was also a reflection whether the owner of the palpi was a male or female: floral motifs on the former and and fierce wild animals for the latter. The coming of the railways and motorised conveyance modes led to the decline in the use of palanquins from the beginning of the 1850s.
Price: POA
Material: bronze
Dimensions: 20cm long
Provenance: Deceased estate, UK
Notes, Literature: Palanquin derives its name from Sanskrit term ‘palanki’ for bed or couch, and Anglicised to ‘Palan Queen’. Cast bronze finials were placed at the pole ends of the palki (the Hindi term) used by several bearers to carry the shuttered compartment. These finials were in the form of birds, flowers, animals as well as figures from mythology and folklore. Finials also represented various demigods and demons, like this pair which represenets a Yali (half lion half human). The use of finials was also a reflection whether the owner of the palpi was a male or female: floral motifs on the former and and fierce wild animals for the latter. The coming of the railways and motorised conveyance modes led to the decline in the use of palanquins from the beginning of the 1850s.
Price: POA
Culture, Origin: Tibet, early 20th Century
Material: silver gilt, turquoise, coral
Dimensions: 12cm
Provenance: Private Collection, UK
Price: £350
Material: silver gilt, turquoise, coral
Dimensions: 12cm
Provenance: Private Collection, UK
Price: £350
Culture, Origin: Nepal, c. early-mid 20th Century.
Material: silver, turquoise, coral
Dimensions: 13cm wide x 13.5cm high x 5.5cm deep
Provenance: Private Collection, UK
Price: £690
Material: silver, turquoise, coral
Dimensions: 13cm wide x 13.5cm high x 5.5cm deep
Provenance: Private Collection, UK
Price: £690
THEWA BOX
AS409
AS409
Culture, Origin: Pratabgarh, Rajasthan, India, late 19th Century.
Material: silver gilt, glass
Dimensions: 37mm
Provenance: Private Collection, UK
Notes, Literature:See Nick Barnard, Indian Jewellery, 2008, p. 78, for details on this uniquely Indian jewellery technique referred to in Europe as "Pertabgarh Work".
Price: £350
Material: silver gilt, glass
Dimensions: 37mm
Provenance: Private Collection, UK
Notes, Literature:See Nick Barnard, Indian Jewellery, 2008, p. 78, for details on this uniquely Indian jewellery technique referred to in Europe as "Pertabgarh Work".
Price: £350
BUDDHIST STEEL MALA
AS411
AS411
Culture, Origin: Himalayan region
Material: steel
Dimensions: 60cm
Provenance: Private Collection, UK
Notes: Used as a rosary to aid meditation and the reciting of prayers. Malas are made from many different materials, this particular one is heavy and has Sanskrit inscriptions on each of the 110 beads, possibly reading 'Om Mani Padme'. Price: £200
Material: steel
Dimensions: 60cm
Provenance: Private Collection, UK
Notes: Used as a rosary to aid meditation and the reciting of prayers. Malas are made from many different materials, this particular one is heavy and has Sanskrit inscriptions on each of the 110 beads, possibly reading 'Om Mani Padme'. Price: £200
TARKASHI TABLE BOX
AS98
AS98
Culture, Origin: Mainpuri, Northern India, c.1880
Material: rosewood, copper and brass wire, bone
Dimensions: 37 x 29 x 14cm
Provenance: Private Collection, UK
Literature/Notes: This fine box has ebonised moulded edges and feet, and is lined in velvet. The four sides and lid are beautifully inlaid allover in delicate brass and copper wire, and with four small roundels of sadeli work to the lid, the technique known as tarkashi which is particular to craftsmen in Mainpuri near Agra. Cf. Amin Jaffer, Furniture from British India and Ceylon, London 2001, 305-7.
Price: £650
Material: rosewood, copper and brass wire, bone
Dimensions: 37 x 29 x 14cm
Provenance: Private Collection, UK
Literature/Notes: This fine box has ebonised moulded edges and feet, and is lined in velvet. The four sides and lid are beautifully inlaid allover in delicate brass and copper wire, and with four small roundels of sadeli work to the lid, the technique known as tarkashi which is particular to craftsmen in Mainpuri near Agra. Cf. Amin Jaffer, Furniture from British India and Ceylon, London 2001, 305-7.
Price: £650
PORTABLE HUQQA BASE
Culture, Origin: Northern India, 19th Century
Material: coconut, silver
Dimensions: 9cm
Provenance: Private Collection, UK
Price: £285
Material: coconut, silver
Dimensions: 9cm
Provenance: Private Collection, UK
Price: £285
BUDDHIST SEED MALA
AS413
AS413
Culture, Origin: Himalayan region
Material: seeds, ivory
Dimensions: 120cm
Provenance: Private Collection, UK
Notes: Used as a rosary to aid meditation and the reciting of prayers. Malas are made from many different materials, this particular one has Rudraksha beads exquisitely carved with tiny images of arhats (luohan) spaced by larger Bodhi seeds and an ivory guru bead.
Price: £550
Material: seeds, ivory
Dimensions: 120cm
Provenance: Private Collection, UK
Notes: Used as a rosary to aid meditation and the reciting of prayers. Malas are made from many different materials, this particular one has Rudraksha beads exquisitely carved with tiny images of arhats (luohan) spaced by larger Bodhi seeds and an ivory guru bead.
Price: £550
YAMA
Culture, Origin: Tibet, 19th Century
Material: bronze
Dimensions: 13cm
Provenance: Private Collection, UK
Notes: The dharamapala standing in alidhasana upon a figure representing ignorance, holding a flaying knife and scull cup, wearing skull crown, skull belt and apron, before a flaming mandala, on lotus base.
Price: £895
Material: bronze
Dimensions: 13cm
Provenance: Private Collection, UK
Notes: The dharamapala standing in alidhasana upon a figure representing ignorance, holding a flaying knife and scull cup, wearing skull crown, skull belt and apron, before a flaming mandala, on lotus base.
Price: £895
ANNAPURNA
AS96
AS96
Culture, Origin: South India, 18th Century
Material: copper alloy/bronze
Dimensions: 7cm
Provenance: Private Collection, UK
Notes: This rarer South Indian version of Annapurna shows the goddess holding both a bowl and ladle, rather than just a ladle in both hands. Annapurna is the goddess of food and nourishment. Lovely red colour with glossy patina and fine detail.
Price: £350
Material: copper alloy/bronze
Dimensions: 7cm
Provenance: Private Collection, UK
Notes: This rarer South Indian version of Annapurna shows the goddess holding both a bowl and ladle, rather than just a ladle in both hands. Annapurna is the goddess of food and nourishment. Lovely red colour with glossy patina and fine detail.
Price: £350
RUKHMINI
AS91
AS91
Culture, Origin: South India, 18th Century
Material: brass/bronze
Dimensions: 8.2cm
Provenance: Private Collection, UK
Notes: RukhmIni is the consort of Vithoba (AKA Vitthali etc) a popular Vishnu/Krishna avatar in the southern Deccan.
Price: £190
Material: brass/bronze
Dimensions: 8.2cm
Provenance: Private Collection, UK
Notes: RukhmIni is the consort of Vithoba (AKA Vitthali etc) a popular Vishnu/Krishna avatar in the southern Deccan.
Price: £190
DURGA
AS28
AS28
Culture, Origin: South India, 19th Century
Material: brass/bronze
Dimensions: 7.7cm
Provenance: Private Collection, UK
Notes: The seated four armed deity holding trident, sword, bowl and chakra, seated on a circular pedestal.
Price: £250
Material: brass/bronze
Dimensions: 7.7cm
Provenance: Private Collection, UK
Notes: The seated four armed deity holding trident, sword, bowl and chakra, seated on a circular pedestal.
Price: £250
KRISHNA VENUGAPALA
Culture, Origin: Gujarat, India, 18th/early 19th Century
Material: bronze
Dimensions: 6cm
Provenance: Private Collection, UK
Notes: A tiny and very charming folk bronze depicting Krishna as the flute-playing goatherd.
Price: £275
Material: bronze
Dimensions: 6cm
Provenance: Private Collection, UK
Notes: A tiny and very charming folk bronze depicting Krishna as the flute-playing goatherd.
Price: £275
NANDI
Culture, Origin: South India, 18th Century
Material: bronze
Dimensions: 5.2 X 6 X 4cm
Provenance: Private Collection, UK
Notes: Nandi, the bull-calf, is the vahana (vehicle) of Lord Shiva. When depicted couchant, he represents the religious duty (dharma) of the devotee. In sanskrit, Nandi means "blissfulness" and refers to the emotion experienced but the devotee in the presence of Lord Shiva.
Price: £350
Material: bronze
Dimensions: 5.2 X 6 X 4cm
Provenance: Private Collection, UK
Notes: Nandi, the bull-calf, is the vahana (vehicle) of Lord Shiva. When depicted couchant, he represents the religious duty (dharma) of the devotee. In sanskrit, Nandi means "blissfulness" and refers to the emotion experienced but the devotee in the presence of Lord Shiva.
Price: £350
VISHNU
Culture, Origin: South India, 18th Century
Material: bronze
Dimensions: 11.4cm
Provenance: Private Collection, UK
Notes: Vishnu is shown standing with his four arms holding chakra (wheel), shanka (conch), with his other hands in varada mudra (charity), katyavalambita. The worn features attest to its age and use.
Price: £300
Material: bronze
Dimensions: 11.4cm
Provenance: Private Collection, UK
Notes: Vishnu is shown standing with his four arms holding chakra (wheel), shanka (conch), with his other hands in varada mudra (charity), katyavalambita. The worn features attest to its age and use.
Price: £300
SHIVA NATARAJA
Culture, Origin: India, 19th Century
Material: bronze
Dimensions: 39.5 x 33 x 16.5cm
Provenance: Private Collection, UK
Notes: This is the classic and popular depiction of Shiva as Lord of the Dance. He is framed within a flaming mandala, his hair contains the image of Ganga, he holds a drum (damaru), fire (agni) and the cobra in three of his four hands, and stands on the demon Apasmara.
Price: £950
Material: bronze
Dimensions: 39.5 x 33 x 16.5cm
Provenance: Private Collection, UK
Notes: This is the classic and popular depiction of Shiva as Lord of the Dance. He is framed within a flaming mandala, his hair contains the image of Ganga, he holds a drum (damaru), fire (agni) and the cobra in three of his four hands, and stands on the demon Apasmara.
Price: £950
TIRTHANKARA
Culture, Origin: Deccan, India, 20th Century
Material: bronze
Dimensions: 10.5 X 7.5 X 5cm
Provenance: Private Collection, UK
Notes: The Jain saint holds his hands in dhyana mudra, seated in dhyana sana with on an dias with the figure of recumbent Nandi at the base, on an associated separate stand engraved to the base with an open lotus.
Price: SOLD
Material: bronze
Dimensions: 10.5 X 7.5 X 5cm
Provenance: Private Collection, UK
Notes: The Jain saint holds his hands in dhyana mudra, seated in dhyana sana with on an dias with the figure of recumbent Nandi at the base, on an associated separate stand engraved to the base with an open lotus.
Price: SOLD
SADELI BOX
Culture, Origin: Bombay Presidency, India c. 1915.
Material: sandalwood, ivory, silver.
Dimensions: 16 x 11 6.5cm, miniature 8.6cm D.
Provenance: Private Collection, UK
Notes: Amin Jaffer, Furniture of British India and Ceylon, p. 274 for examples of miniature-mounted boxes. Decorative articles from Nagina and other carving centres were exported to Delhi where they were embellished with miniatures by local artisans. The miniature depicts famous landmarks (clockwise from the top) Qutab Minar, Delhi; Atmad Palace, Agra; Jama Masjid, Delhi; Humayan's Tomb, Delhi; Golden Temple, Amritsar; Sagdan Gang Tomb, Delhi; Red Fort, Delhi; Sinoara, Agra; (centre) Taj Mahal, Agra.
Price: £850
Material: sandalwood, ivory, silver.
Dimensions: 16 x 11 6.5cm, miniature 8.6cm D.
Provenance: Private Collection, UK
Notes: Amin Jaffer, Furniture of British India and Ceylon, p. 274 for examples of miniature-mounted boxes. Decorative articles from Nagina and other carving centres were exported to Delhi where they were embellished with miniatures by local artisans. The miniature depicts famous landmarks (clockwise from the top) Qutab Minar, Delhi; Atmad Palace, Agra; Jama Masjid, Delhi; Humayan's Tomb, Delhi; Golden Temple, Amritsar; Sagdan Gang Tomb, Delhi; Red Fort, Delhi; Sinoara, Agra; (centre) Taj Mahal, Agra.
Price: £850
TIRTHANKARA
Culture, Origin: Deccan, India, 20th Century
Material: bronze
Dimensions: 10.5 X 7.5 X 5cm
Provenance: Private Collection, UK
Price: SOLD
Material: bronze
Dimensions: 10.5 X 7.5 X 5cm
Provenance: Private Collection, UK
Price: SOLD
Enquiries, Payment, Shipping & Returns
We want to hear from you. Please request further images, condition reports, additional measurements etc. using the contact form, and we will respond directly. Please tick the GDPR compliance box if you wish to be updated about events at Ancestor Gallery in the future.
Payment is accepted by bank transfer. Once purchase has been agreed, a shipping charge will be added to the bill. After the total bill has been paid in full, your purchase will be shipped by courier within five working days to your home. Please note that shipping may be delayed if export permits are required for CITES related purchases.
Returns will be accepted within fourteen days of receipt at the purchaser’s cost to include freight, insurance, packaging. Insurance cover against loss and damage must be provided for the full cost of the item. Items must be returned in the same condition as when they were shipped, and will not be accepted if damaged or altered in any way. Refunds will only be issued once inspected and received. Any claim for items damaged in transit must be reported to us within two days of receipt with full written details and images by email.