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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.
This antique manilla is made by the Kota in the northeastern region of Gabon and Congo. A thin widecircular bracelet with an elaborate five-section design, each section has unique designs with long striations, grooved crosshatches, long triangles and angled designs. In very good condition with minor losses, pitting and scratches, its rough surface inside is consistent with its age and use and comes with a wood and metal stand.
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.
This brass oil lamp diya is decorated with an image on front and back of Lakshmi seated on a lotus, full-breasted and broad hipped, beneficently smiling and being lustrated (showered by water) by a pair of elephants, symbolizing rain clouds bringing water and life to the land and that unwavering effort to adhere to spiritual teachings and governed by wisdom and purity leads to both material and spiritual prosperity.
This elegant pair of ancient 12-13th century Khmer Empire cast bronze palanquin rings are decorated with ornate vegetal designs, possibly stylized lotus leaves, and highlight the fine technical abilities and artistry of the ancient Cambodian Khmer Empire’s meticulously detailed metal art. Mounted on unique stands for display in any setting.
This repoussé votive plaque portrays the Hindu deity Vishnu, the Protector of the Universe with a double aureole holding the conch shell he uses to make the om (aum) sound that embodies divine energy and is considered to be the sound of the universe which encompasses all sounds within it. He wears a crown representing his supreme power and earrings signifying the dual nature of creation. The lotus next to him and the lotus leaves of his throne symbolize purity, truth, and the unfolding of creation.
This very elaborate and exquisite C-shaped Senufo heavy manilla is ornately embellished and divided into sections, each decorated with deeply carved panels and framed with pairs of raised ball-like metal pieces. This remarkable and elegant manilla has a fine patina that shows its age, long use, and wear. It comes with a wood and metal stand.
Metal bracelets known as manillas were locally made and used as currency and a medium of exchange to trade or barter, pay for significant events and to display status or social position. This antique intricate Senufo copper alloy bracelet is decorated with incised parallel ridges covering its 3-sections which have sets of raised bosses and flattened discs at each end. Very heavy bracelets like this were not worn but were were used to store wealth, make purchases, buy or trade for livestock and goods, or as a bridal dowry or for ceremonial purposes such as weddings and burials. In excellent condition with a fine patina and the usual signs of age and use, it also has a wood and metal stand.
Click here for Blog Manillas: Former African Trade Currency.
This massive, heavy silver pendant represents a four armed Ganesh seated within a betel shape frame wearing a crown and reaching for modak, a rice flour sweet dumpling filled with coconut that is his favorite treat. Ganesh pendants are worn for good luck as he is the God who removes the obstacles in devotees’ lives.
This rare antique tribal amulet of high grade silver with fine high relief craftsmanship is truly magnificent. It portrays Hindu Lord Krishna sitting in the Tree of Life playing his melodious flute serenading the Gopis who become enthralled with his spiritual music symboling the Hindu belief in the loving interplay between the deities and the human soul. Krishna pendants are protective, have healing powers and bring devotees spiritually closer to him.
This 19th century Tuareg “king” manilla bracelet/anklet made from brass, copper and iron in the shape of horseshoe is a magnificent example of African metalwork composed of massive flat finials with 10 facets. Adorned with traditional raised finely detailed etched and hammered cross-hatched designs, diamond shapes, triangles and circles, this fine piece is excellent condition with appropriate signs of age and use and comes with a wood and metal stand.
This 18-19th century Tuareg manilla was fashioned using a sand mould in a traditional horseshoe shape with bulbous rounded faceted ends. decorated with hand hammered fine details which have faded from age and wear. Individual Tuareg tribes each use unique symbolic imagery and decorative motifs passed down for generations. It comes with a wood and metal stand.
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