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.

  • Antique/Vintage Bronze Earth Witnessing Buddha, Burma/Myanmar (3553BLEM) $2575

    Antique/Vintage Bronze Earth Witnessing Buddha, Burma/Myanmar (3553BLEM) $2575

    $2,575.00
    H: 22”  W: 17”  D: 11” | CALL 213-568-3030 FOR SHIPPING

    This finely and delicately modeled vintage Burmese bronze Buddha Shakyamuni in the Earth Witnessing mudra displays many characteristics typical of the Burmese Mandalay style. His soft youthfully sweet face with slightly smiling lips is framed by a filet headband, snail like hair locks, and almond-shaped eyes are inlaid with glass. Made in the 20th century with the lost wax process in which the mold is destroyed, this piece is a one-of-a-kind exquisite work of art in excellent condition.

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  • Antique/Vintage Ethiopian Coptic Cross Pattée (E329QCE)

    Antique/Vintage Ethiopian Coptic Cross Pattée (E329QCE)

    $175.00
    Ht: 3.125″  W: 1.75″ | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This antique Ethiopian Cross combines several cultural traditions: an Egyptian round ankh surmounted on cross pattée with flaring arms that narrow towards the center. This striking pendant is heavy and large with a massive presence softened by its smooth surface and simple elegance. Prior to the 20th-century, pendant crosses were often made in small villages by skilled local metal smiths that were simpler, yet strikingly beautiful and powerful. The coin silver chain is not included.

  • Antique/Vintage Ethiopian Coptic Cross Pattée (E330ZCE)

    Antique/Vintage Ethiopian Coptic Cross Pattée (E330ZCE)

    $165.00
    Ht: 2.625″  W: 1.5″  || FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This simple but elegant Coptic Cross displays a commonly used tradition of including a circle surmounted on a Latin cross based on the Egyptian ankh set on a variation of a Cross Pattée with flaring arms. This unassuming yet striking pendant is heavy and large with a massive presence that is softened by its smooth surface and simple elegance.

  • Antique/Vintage Ethiopian Latin Cross (E331PCE)

    Antique/Vintage Ethiopian Latin Cross (E331PCE)

    $175.00
    Ht: 2.125″  W: 1.5″ | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This simple elegant Ethiopian Cross neck pendant is a plain Latin Cross, the universal symbol of Christianity, surmounted by a raised rounded cross in the center.  With a distinct and massive feel, its soft edges and matted surface from years of wear impart a feeling of grace and warmth.  Made using the lost-wax process, each is a one-of-a-kind work of art. Chain is not included.

  • Antique/Vintage Ethiopian Latin Cross (E332FCE)

    Antique/Vintage Ethiopian Latin Cross (E332FCE)

    $175.00
    Ht: 2.375  W: 1.5″ | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This simple elegant Ethiopian-cross  pendant is a plain Latin cross, the universal symbol of Christianity, surmounted by a raised rounded cross in the center. Although it is heavy with a distinct and massive feel, its soft edges and matted surface from years of wear impart a feeling of grace and warmth. Often crosses made prior to or early in the 20th century in small Ethiopian villages by skilled local metal smiths were simpler, yet they are strikingly beautiful and powerful. Made using the lost-wax process, each is a one-of-a-kind work. The necklace chain is not included.

  • Sale! Antique/Vintage Silver Pendant of Ganesh with Parvati, India #22059XHE

    Antique/Vintage Silver Pendant of Ganesh with Parvati, India #22059XHE

    Original price was: $295.00.Current price is: $245.00.
    Ht: 2.75”. W: 2.5” D: 0.25” 1.3oz.  |  FREE SHIPPING WITHIN THE CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This rare pendant of Ganesh and his mother Parvati seated on a throne is framed within a betel shape with scalloped edges. It is finely crafted heavy silver piece with a top round suspension loop that mirrors the ovule on the bottom. Used as a protective amulet, it shows signs of wear that give it a smooth fine patina.

  • Sale! Antique/Vintage Votive Silver Puja Spoon, India #3892BES

    Antique/Vintage Votive Silver Puja Spoon, India #3892BES

    Original price was: $225.00.Current price is: $195.00.
    H: 6.25 ”    W:1.625 ”    D:.25  ”    |  FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    Antique silver spoons like this were used to offered water to the gods to show respect. Water is used by Hindus to cleanse and purify one’s body, mind and spirit. The lotus design  is a symbolic connection to Lakshmi, the Hindu Goddess of wealth and prosperity.

  • Earth Witnessing Bronze Buddha, Thailand (11246BKE) $395

    Earth Witnessing Bronze Buddha, Thailand (11246BKE) $395

    $395.00
    H: 21”  W: 15.5 ”  D: 9.5” | CALL 213-568-3030 FOR SHIPPING

    The beautiful contemporary bronze Buddha is rendered in Thai Lopburi style in Earth Witnessing (bhumisparsha mudra)  wearing a simple two-part Theravada Buddhist monk’s robe that shows his religious devotion. He sits on a highly decorative pierced throne on a three footed curved base. The composition is a double triangle: the three-footed throne itself is a horizontal triangle as it recedes backward in space, and the Buddha and the throne form a vertical triangle.  The heavy statue is filled with a cement binder, and it is in excellent condition.

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  • Han Dynasty Bronze Dragon Belt Hook, China (1095BLE)

    Han Dynasty Bronze Dragon Belt Hook, China (1095BLE)

    $485.00
    H: 4.1″    W: 1 ”    D:.625 ”    |  FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    In the Han, belt hooks became a symbol of wealth, high status and power hung vertically from belt holes used in life and buried with the deceased for his journey to the afterlife . Ornamented with incised decoration this beautiful piece is dragon shaped with beautiful verdigris deposits.

  • Sale! Rare Ancient Bronze Mountain Goat Amulet, Iran, Luristan, H: 3"

    Rare Ancient Bronze Mountain Goat Amulet, Iran, Luristan, H: 3″

    Original price was: $450.00.Current price is: $300.00.
    H: 3″ W: 3.125″ D: 1.25″ | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    Luristan nomads made sophisticated bronzes prized in the ancient world for their designs and fine craftsmanship. This Iron Age finely cast curved long horned goat is set on a lucite base.

  • SOLD Antique Yoruba Manilla Currency/Slave Bracelet, West Africa

    SOLD Antique Yoruba Manilla Currency/Slave Bracelet, West Africa

    $110.00
    SOLD

    Manillas were commonly used by the Yoruba in the Coastal regions of Nigeria and along the Niger River. This thin simple round C-shaped manilla is decorated with incised linear designs on the outer round surface: it is centered on the top with parallel zig zag lines between a set of four parallel indentations which frame it. Each end also has zig zag indented striations.  Simple, yet elegant, the bracelet is in very good condition, with normal wear, and pitting that verify its age and use. It comes with a wood metal stand.

  • SOLD Antique/Vintage Hammered Iron Gong on Stand, Democratic Republic of the Congo (3893BKR) $395

    SOLD Antique/Vintage Hammered Iron Gong on Stand, Democratic Republic of the Congo (3893BKR) $395

    $395.00
    H: 21″  W: 8″ D: 4.75″ | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    This traditional African hammered iron gong is elegantly shaped like a flaring bell. Heat riveted, a forging process joining two metal pieces together, it was made by Congolese tribal people. Made with 5 parallel lines of 5 decorative round bulges on both sides, it was often held using a raffia handle and beaten using sticks covered with rubber at its end. Originally a ritual instrument, they were also beaten to call members of special restricted societies to meetings and were a symbol of wealth, prestige, and influence.

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