Metalwork

Metalwork has been used to create Asian statues and decorative pieces for millennia. The earliest metalwork items were ritual vessels for worshipping or presenting offerings to ancestors and the gods, objects celebrating important events in the lives of rulers and ancestors, or images of gods and deities worshipped by devotees. Our collection has fine metalwork items made either using the lost wax casting method or by casting pieces using a mold. The lost wax produces a one-of-a-kind work of art because the mold is damaged, altered or destroyed during or after its use as exemplified by utilitarian and religious item made by Indian Dhorka metalsmiths. Molded pieces can produce multiple versions most often using bronze, brass, iron and metal alloys with smaller works made using gold and silver Originally only for the rich and imperially sanctioned, especially in China, metals were later used to make utilitarian vessels and utensils, ceremonial, ritualistic. decorative and religious objects, architectural ornamentation, personal ornament, weapons, armor and bells. Metal craft techniques include repousse, hammering, embossing, cloisonné, enameling among others. Thai, Burmese and Nepalese items in our site including Buddha images, are generally mold made using bronze, brass, and other copper alloys.

Showing 13–24 of 47 results

  • Antique Fulani Manilla Currency/Slave Bracelet, West Africa (3159XLR) $110

    $110.00
    H: 2.75”  W: 3.125”  Thick: 0.375” Circum. 8.25” | FREE SHIPPING

    This early 19th century Fulani bracelet has its origin in Mali or Niger. As nomadic people, bracelets and anklets such as this were an ideal form of currency that was wearable, easily portable, and available for occasional major purchases. This circular thin C-shaped manilla has a rounded smooth surface inside and out. It is divided visually into six sections with incised crosshatch and linear designs. The copper-colored surface has a fine patina and it is in excellent  condition with signs of use consistent with its age.  It comes with a wood and metal stand.

     

  • Antique Fulani Manilla Currency/Slave Bracelet, West Africa (3147YCK) $165

    $165.00
    H: 2.875”  W: 3”  Thick: 0.625” Circum: 8.5” | FREE SHIPPING

    Each African region fabricated its own variety of manillas that were typically horseshoe or C-shaped with a faceted ball or flare at the ends with added pieces of metal to the body or plain open ends  Ranging from thin delicate shapes to heavy massive pieces, they were embellished with designs of deeply carved lines forming parallel ridges, stamped or incised geometric forms, and other motifs. This delicate antique Fulani metal bracelet has cut parallel ridges over most of its surface which elicits the effects of twisted metal pieces. The top is centered with a unique extended flat topped boss/knob unlike most manillas. With a fine patina, it is a beautiful piece in excellent condition with wear scratches and discolorations  consistent with its age and use and comes with a wood and metal stand. The measurement is without the stand.

     

  • Antique Fulani Manilla Currency/Slave Bracelet, West Africa (3150VKE) $185

    $185.00
    H: 2.75”  W: 2.875”  Thick: 0.5” Circum: 8.75” | FREE SHIPPING

    Each African region fabricated its own variety of manillas that were typically horseshoe or C-shaped some like this with plain open ends. This 18-19th century thick solid Fulani metal bracelet has a smooth rounded outer surface enhanced with deeply etched long triangles, parallel horizontal bands, stamped circles, facets and groves to enhance its unique appearance with flat ends. The aged patina with minor oxidation cracks, bruising, and discolorations are all consistent with its age and extensive use. It is a beautiful bracelet in excellent condition and comes with a wood and metal stand.

     

  • Antique Fulani Manilla Currency/Slave Bracelet, West Africa (3155VKM) $195

    $195.00
    H: 2.625”  W: 3”  Thick: 0.25” Circum. 8.25” | FREE SHIPPING

    Each African region fabricated its own variety of manilla that were typically horseshoe or C-shaped with a ball or flare at the ends with added pieces of metal to the body or at plain open ends Ranging from thin delicate shapes to heavy massive pieces, they were embellished with designs of deeply carved lines forming parallel ridges, stamped or incised geometric forms, and other motifs.  This large fine 18-19th century circular high walled Fulani manilla from Nigeria has a rounded smooth surface inside and out with beautiful etched linear design, circles, swirls, stipples, and V-shapes. It is in excellent condition with a fine aged patina with  some evidence of pitting, scratches, and discolorations consistent with age. It comes with a wood and metal stand.

     

  • Antique Fulani Manilla Currency/Slave Bracelet, West Africa (3165WHM) $295

    $295.00
    Bracelet Ht: 3.125”  W: 3.5”  Thickness: 1” | FREE SHIPPING!

    The Fulani people favored many kinds of body ornaments, among the most traditional being bracelets and anklets in a horseshoe shape with flared decorative ends.  This finely-crafted, heavy and massive antique U-shaped example was elaborately designed with intertwined twisted strands and 11 faceted ends incised with circle and diamond designs. This has no stand.

  • Antique Fulani Manilla Currency/Slave Trade Bracelet, West Africa (3146GKE)

    $165.00
    H: 2.75”  W: 3”  Thick: 0.5” Circum: 8” | FREE SHIPPING

    Each African region created its own variety of manillas that were typically horseshoe or round shaped. Ranging from thin delicate shapes to heavy massive pieces, they were embellished with designs of  carved lines forming parallel ridges, stamped or incised geometric forms and other motifs.  The antique rounded wide Fulani manilla from Nigeria has a smooth central surface with etched decorative and geometric designs at the ends including multi-lined horizontals, rows of stippled verticals, small etched circles with tiny  circles inside, alternating side by side triangles with the downward pointing ones recessed and large upward pointing double-lined ones and three stacked double circles at its apex. It is in very good condition with minor pits, scratches, cracks and bruising on the inside consistent with its extensive age and use. It comes with a wood and metal stand. The measurement is without the stand.

    Click here for Blog Manillas: Former African Trade Currency.

  • Antique Hindu Garuda Prayer Bell, India (9545XLC) $295

    $295.00
    H: 10”  Dia: 3.75” | FREE SHIPPING!

    This Hindu prayer bell was likely placed on a home or temple altar and in daily puja rituals. This simple yet elegant bell has a smooth and undecorated body with only incised parallel rings circling plain surfaces and is topped by a pair of Garudas sheltered by a hood of Nagas. Garuda, the mythical winged bird that is Vishnu’s mount, and Naga, a seven-headed hooded serpent, are natural enemies and when they are represented together, they symbolizes  peace, a very appropriate adornment for the tranquility and serenity elicited by the pleasing sounds of a prayer bell.

     

     

    Martin Lerner an Steven Kossak, The Lotus Transcendent: Indian and Southeast Asian Art from the Samuel Eilenberg Collection, Harry Abrams, New York, 1991.

     

  • Antique Hindu Peacock Oil Lamp, India (9526BEB) $365

    $365.00
    H: 13″  W: 8.5 ”  D: 4.75  ”  | FREE SHIPPING!

    This graceful brass oil lamp is topped by two peacocks, a large one that held oil and a smaller one decorated with striated lines. sitting high on a thin mount with  a spiral base. It was used for Hindu prayer rituals (puja) in the home or at temples and for devotional worship. This fine lost wax lamp with a soft patina is a one-of-a-kind piece. Often used in Hindu religious sculptures, peacocks have a strong religious tradition and represent harmony, joy and beauty and the time cycle.

     

  • Antique Hindu Votive Oil Lamp and Ladle, India (1204BHE) $450

    $450.00
    H: 5.5”  W: 13.75”  D: 3” | FREE SHIPPING

    This graceful South Indian cast brass oil lamp with attached spoon was used for Hindu prayer rituals.  It has an oil reservoir in the center, a shallow yoni shaped burner at the front, a finial at the end and it is mounted on a flared circular foot. The top surface is decorated with incised floral motifs.

     

  • Antique Iron Water Kettle (Tetsubin), Lotus Knob, Japan (2007TOK) $295

    $325.00
    H: 8.625″  W: 7.5″  D: 6.5″  | FREE SHIPPING!

    Japanese cast iron Tetsubin tea kettles have been prized for their health benefits and zen simplicity since they were introduced 400 years ago. This elegant antique Meiji era kettle has a scalloped top, curved handle, rounded spout and contrasting textures and simple designs on its lid which is topped by a lotus shaped knob. This kettle would enhance any kitchen décor and be a wonderful gift for any tea lover. As with any antique, however, it is suitable for decorative use only.

  • Antique Kota Manilla Currency/Slave Bracelet, West Africa (3166YLR) $115

    $115.00
    H: 2.875”  W: 3.25”  Thickness: 1.5” | FREE SHIPPING!

    This antique manilla is from the Kota in the northeastern region of Gabon and Congo. It is a thin-walled flat circular bracelet with an elaborate five-section design. The sections have unique designs with long striations, grooved crosshatches, long triangles, and a series of angled designs. It is in very good condition with some losses, pitting and scratches and a rough surface inside consistent with age and use and comes with a wood and metal stand.

     

  • Antique Kumkum Container, Nepal (1278XAE) $295

    $295.00
    H: 3” Dia: 2.875″ | FREE SHIPPING!

    This  finely designed bronze kumkum container was used in Hindu worship (puja). It is a well-shaped ornamented cup divided artistically into three sections: a top flat lip surrounded by decorative bosses and parallel lines, and band of stylized leaves, and set on a tubular trunk on a decorative base.  Also known as chopra containers, they were made from a variety of materials, although bronze was rather rare and used by wealthy Hindu women and royalty to store tikka kumkuma powder, as the poor could only afford those made from wood or pottery.

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