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Ancient spearpoints with this triangular blade called triangular lanceolate projectile spear point were found under multiple feet of sediment about 40 miles from Austin, Texas are revising ancient American history as they are believed to be the oldest weapons ever found in North America. Considerably older than those made by the Paleoamerican Clovis culture, formerly…
The Song dynasty (960–1279) is considered the most culturally brilliant era in later imperial Chinese history. A massive expansion during this dynasty produced government, public and religious buildings and tombs with walls decorated with earthenware unglazed mold-made brick tiles. Some were purely decorative and others were wishes for happiness and comfort in the deceased’s afterlife…
This Song earthenware tile depicts the legendary scholar, poet and alchemist Taoist deity Lu Dongbin, one of the Eight Immortals, who sought to discover the elixir of immortality and used charms still used in Chinese homes to prevent illness and ward off evil. He and his fly whisk are auspicious symbols of longevity and a wish for immortality. Firecrackers, are traditionally used to celebrate the Chinese New Year, to bring in wishes for a safe and prosperous year, scare away evil and provide pleasure for the ancestors’ spirit.
Terracotta tile portraying a seated female musician playing a lute with 2 attendants, and a third person in the distance. The scene is framed in an attractive and decorative curved wide border with a pointed arch called an ogee arch originating in India.
Most jauk keras (strong, scary) masks of a giant are often red or orange to reinforce a volatile dance with jerky movements. This jauk manis (good, sweet) mask dance is a more controlled, regulated and enacted with more calm and human movements.
Influenced by Islam for centuries, Javanese theater in Indonesia is stylized, didactic and full of central characters said to be cultural and historic icons of morality. Mask drama theater (Topeng Wayang) in Java is dominated by the conservative central Javanese palace courts (kraton) of Surakarta, Solo and Jogjakarta (Yogyakarta) which have long supported mask makers,…
This colorful terracotta image of Shiva and Parvati is aniconic (symbolic) and figurative. Shiva’s is a symbolic lingham (phallus) and Parvati a deity. Together they represent the union of masculine and feminine, thus all existence
Colorful bearded official/entertainer doll with traditional hat, dark blue and gold robe holding paper clappers castanets. Mounted on lucite.
Artfully shaped lacquered Hsun Ok for offerings to monks lid with a finial symbolizing a Buddhist stupa and applied mythical animals and floral decorations. Early 20th century pieces with these special details are harder to find and copies abound.
Vintage Nepali brass Buddha in teaching mudra standing on pedestal with 2 Buddhist lions, wearing “wet style” close fitting monk’s robes covering idealized body under drapery. Removable full body aureole with foliate designs.
Vintage Thai cast bronze White Clad Guanyin in meditation on multi-tiered throne holding vial of precious dew with image of Buddha Amitabha under hood. Vision of compassionate serenity, half closed eyes and benevolent smile.
Vintage wooden structural post Nigerian Yoruba warrior statue with a scale-pattern torso armor, elongated helmet, strong frontal posture and prominent expressive facial features symbolizing a warrior’s powers. Mounted on a black metal base.
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