Single-Owner Collections

A Tibetan gilt bronze figure of Buddha, 16th century, modelled seated in dhyanasana with hands held in bhumisparsa mudra, on a double lotus throne, height 10cm. Provenance: the Alain Presencer Collection.

A Himalayan bronze Nandi bull box and cover, Nepalese or North Indian, probably 17th century, modelled in a recumbent pose, length 15.4cm, containing a carved rock crystal conch shell, length 7.2cm. Note: Nandi is the bull mount of the Hindu god Shiva. Most Shiva temples display stone images of a seated Nandi, generally facing the main shrine. Provenance: the Alain Presencer Collection.

A Tibetan carved human bone apron ornament, probably 16th century, carved in relief with a tantric deity below a foliate scroll surmount, above a mask terminal, length 13.5cm (chip to terminal). Note: for a similarly carved example, see The Ashmolean Museum, Oxford. Provenance: the Alain Presencer Collection.

Two Tibetan carved wood rectangular book covers, probably 15th-16th century, one carved in relief with the five Tathagatas (Transcendent Buddhas), length 29.3cm, the other with two lines of script, traces of gilt, length 29.3cm. Provenance: the Alain Presencer Collection.

A Tibetan gilt bronze figure of Mahakala, 18th century, modelled wearing an ornate headdress and celestial scarf with right hand holding a sword, standing astride a prostrate elephant-headed figure, on a lotus moulded oval base, height 29cm. Provenance: the Alain Presencer Collection. Note: Mahakala is one of the most popular protector or guardian deities in Tibetan Buddhism.

A Tibetan brown patinated bronze figure of Tara, 18th century, modelled standing wearing ornate headdress, bead jewellery and a celestial scarf, holding lotus stems in each of her hands, on a beaded and lotus moulded pedestal, height 26.5cm. Provenance: the Alain Presencer Collection. Note: Tara is an important female Buddha, especially revered in Vajrayana and Mahayana Buddhism.

A Tibetan white metal bead mala necklace, comprising one hundred and eight flattened circular beads and a vajra marker bead, hung with two tassels of smaller beads with turquoise and coral set drops, total length 84cm, bead diameters approx 1cm. Provenance: the Alain Presencer Collection.

A Tibetan baby Buddha foot stone, probably banded agate, of foot outline, the stone of russet and cream banded tone, length 11.5cm. Provenance: the Alain Presencer Collection.

A Tibetan painted gesso and carved wood figure group of Shri Devi on horseback, 19th century, the blue deity modelled sitting sideways on the back of a yellow mule standing on a polychrome lotus moulded base, total height 20.5cm (minor faults). Provenance: the Alain Presencer Collection.

A Tibetan gilt bronze rectangular repoussé plaque, 15th century, depicting Vajrapani standing on a prostrate figure within a surround of scrolling flames, flanked by six attendants, height 63cm, width 79.5cm. Provenance: the Alain Presencer Collection, Ram Chandra, London 1998, and Bonhams Hong Kong, 2nd October 2018, Lot 167.

A rare Tibetan ritual conch shell, length 11cm, together with a bronze box and domed cover of octagonal form, length 13.2cm. Provenance: the Alain Presencer Collection.

A Tibetan human skull and leather damaru (drum), 18th/19th century, the double-sided drum comprising two skull caps with stretched leather covers, the white metal central band mount set with corals and hardstones, the leather handle with silk brocade banner and tassels, length of drum 13cm, with original fabric case. Provenance: the Alain Presencer Collection. Note: for a similar drum, see Bonhams Hong Kong, 2nd October 2018, Lot 190.

A Sino-Tibetan black and white banded agate spherical bead court necklace, late Qing dynasty, comprising one hundred and eight beads, with red and black bead spacers hung with glass pendants, length 177cm, contained within a Tibetan bronze cylindrical box and cover, diameter 12.5cm. Provenance: the Alain Presencer Collection.

A Tibetan iron vajra, 15th/16th century, with gilt detail, of typical form with crown ends, length 24.8cm. Provenance: the Alain Presencer Collection.

A Tibetan gilt lacquered bronze figure of Simhanada Avalokiteshvara, seated on the back of a Buddhistic lion, Ming Dynasty, 16th century, the bodhisattva finely modelled in the posture of royal ease, wearing elaborate headdress, celestial scarf and beaded jewellery, his right elbow resting on his knee, the right hand touching the upturned head of the lion, on which he is seated, all raised on a double lotus moulded pedestal, height 51cm. Provenance: the Alain Presencer Collection, Frank Ormond, 2013, and Bonhams, Hong Kong, 2nd October 2018. Note: this figure group is a classic Ming dynasty representation of 'The Lion Voiced Lord' Simhanada Avalokiteshvara.

A Sino-Tibetan brown patinated bronze figure of a bull, 20th century, modelled in an aggressive pose, standing four-square with head lowered, on an oval base with cast foliate panels against a 'Y' diaper ground, height 12.4cm. Provenance: the Alain Presencer Collection.

A Tibetan gilt bronze figure of Vajradhara, 15th century, modelled seated in dhyanasana with hands held before his chest in vajrahumkara mudra, wearing an ornate headdress, bead jewellery and celestial scarf, lotus stems supporting the vajra and ghanta at his side, on a double lotus base, height 21cm. Provenance: the Alain Presencer Collection and Bonhams Hong Kong, 2nd October 2018, Lot 130. Note: Vajradhara is the primordial Buddha according to the Sakya, Gelug and Kagyu Schools of Tibetan Buddhism.

A Tibetan gilt bronze figure of Shakyamuni, 15th/16th century, modelled seated in dhyanasana and hands held in bhumisparsa mudra, on an upturned lotus moulded base, traces of gilt and indistinct incised inscription to front of base, height 24cm. Provenance: the Alain Presencer Collection and Bonhams Hong Kong, 2nd October 2018, Lot 122. Note: Shakyamuni was a wandering ascetic and religious teacher, born in Nepal approximately 2500 years ago, and the founder of Buddhism.

A Tibetan carnelian dzi bead mala necklace, comprising one hundred and seven irregular bun shaped beads with white banded decoration, and a banded agate marker bead, total length 124cm, diameter of beads ranging from 1.4cm to 1.7cm. Provenance: the Alain Presencer Collection.