NARASIMHA WITH LAKSHMI

South India, Tamil Nadu

17^th century

Copper, H. 8,2 cm

Euro 1100 + shipment

One of the ten manifestations of the god Vishnu, protector of the world, is Narasimha, in the form of a lion. In Hindu mythology the story goes that a powerful demon, enemy of the gods, persecuted his own son, an ardent devotee of Vishnu. The demon had gained special powers: no man or beast could kill him, not by day or by night, not at home and not in the open air, and he was also immune to all weapons.

So Vishnu incarnated in a figure with a lion head and a human body. At dusk, on the threshold of the house, he grabbed the demon tearing him to pieces with his claws. The offence to the gods was avenged and order re-established.

The powerful lion head with wide open jaws, glaring eyes and the long mane streaming on the shoulders is set on a human trunk. It is an image of superhuman and invincible force, skilfully sculpted but also endowed with the poise of one of the finest periods in Indian art.

Betel-nut chewing was a common pleasure in several Oriental countries, enjoyed by all social classes, the only difference being that wealthier people could afford to flavor it with special spices kept in precious boxes crafted, as in this case, by expert artisans and jewelers.

This round box includes 5 small compartments with plain lids for storing small pieces of areca nut, tobacco, saffron, cumin and many other spices. But the skilled artisan who did the repoussé work on this container gave free rein to his fantasy, offering us a rich and variegated scenery. Indeed, several scenes are depicted in this profusion of decoration. Three hunters, two in uniform and gun and the third one armed with an arrow and clad in a simple longhi, are respectively hunting two deer – sporting formidable branched antlers – and a tiger, whilst the two elephants seem to be the only ones that can browse in peace. The vegetation includes bushy hills, palm trees, banana trees, leafy breadfruit and various other trees.

At the center of the container a large silver tree extends its many utterly bare branches: the stark contrast with the lavish ornamentation is quite evident. Could these branches perhaps have been used to stock the leaves necessary to roll the betel? Then the massive foliage of this tree would really be in keeping with the landscape!

BETEL BOX WITH SPICE CONTAINERS

Myanmar (Burma), 20th century

Silver, H. 36 cm, dia. 22 cm

Punched silver sterling

Euro 2900 + shipment

Betel-nut chewing was a common pleasure in several Oriental countries, enjoyed by all social classes, the only difference being that wealthier people could afford to flavor it with special spices kept in precious boxes crafted, as in this case, by expert artisans and jewelers.

This round box includes 5 small compartments with plain lids for storing small pieces of areca nut, tobacco, saffron, cumin and many other spices. But the skilled artisan who did the repoussé work on this container gave free rein to his fantasy, offering us a rich and variegated scenery. Indeed, several scenes are depicted in this profusion of decoration. Three hunters, two in uniform and gun and the third one armed with an arrow and clad in a simple longhi, are respectively hunting two deer – sporting formidable branched antlers – and a tiger, whilst the two elephants seem to be the only ones that can browse in peace. The vegetation includes bushy hills, palm trees, banana trees, leafy breadfruit and various other trees.

At the center of the container a large silver tree extends its many utterly bare branches: the stark contrast with the lavish ornamentation is quite evident. Could these branches perhaps have been used to stock the leaves necessary to roll the betel? Then the massive foliage of this tree would really be in keeping with the landscape!

NAMANARI TYPE B

Edo Period, 19th century

Cypress wood, lacquered and painted

Attributed to Deme Juman

Gold lacquer inscription on the back

H. 21,6

Euro 6000

NAMANARI TYPE A

Edo Period, 18th century

Cypress wood, lacquered and painted

Attributed to Deme Tsui

H. 21,6

Price upon request

HANNYA

19th century

Lacquered and painted wood

H. 21.4 cm

Euro 6000 + shipping