Ancient Art, Antiquities, Books, Natural History, Stamps & Coins

Depicting two celestial musicians: one holding a stringed instrument, head turned to the right; the other playing a drum, head turned to the left; each positioned to create a sense of movement and carved with very fine details, including carefully manicured hair and facial hair, extensive jewellery and beautifully crisp eyelids; mounted on modern steel bases. 55.1 kg total, 53 cm high including stand each



Private collection, Rome, acquired in the 1980s. with Christie's, New York, Indian and Southeast Asian Art, 21 September 2007, no.70 [$60,000-$80,000]. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13376-259008.

Sculpture and music have played a prominent part in the cultural development of Indian civilisation. From the representation of the dynamic art of music and dancing on sculpture, we can acquire knowledge of the type of music and dance practised at different periods, and in the study of the history and evolution of music in general and musical instruments in particular.

Bulbous body with a narrow foot and an everted rim, the body with a polychrome frieze with a standing antelope depicted with long spiralling horns, and on the opposite side a peacock amidst vegetation, two panels with large flowers in between; possibly some repainting. 565 grams, 17 cm



Ex Abelita collection, 1990s.

Squat body with a short neck and an everted rim, painted wave motifs on the shoulder. 151 grams, 10 cm wide



Ex London, UK, gallery, 1971-early 2000s. London, UK, collection.

Figure of Hanuman advancing in a roundel, modelled in the half-round. 372 grams, 15.8 cm



From the Jeffrey Romer important collection of Hindu art, 1990s. Ex central London gallery.

Carved as a standing saddled horse biting a large snake entangled around its body; mounted on a rectangular stand. 1.94 kg total, 15.9 cm wide including stand



From a West London collection and formerly in a Mayfair gallery.

A carved twelve-fluted green onyx bowl with a slightly flared rim and basal ring. 315 grams, 15 cm wide

Fine condition.

London collection since the 1980s. Ex property of a Canadian family.

Drum-shaped in profile with broad shoulder and mouth, flared rim; concentric painted bands to the shoulder and sidewall, with hatched and geometric detailing. 324 grams, 11.8 cm wide



Ex London, UK, gallery, 1971-early 2000s. London, UK, collection.

Oval intaglio with domed base, possibly prasiolite, featuring a carved bust of an emperor facing right, wearing an elaborate headgear with a string of pearls; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 2.82 grams, 21 mm



Acquired on UK art market. Property of a Middlesex gentleman.

Framed and glazed displaying a figural panel inserted into four vertical columns of cursive script separated by red and blue bands, continued on the reverse. 1.15 kg, 45.5 cm



Property of a London gallery.

The scene is taken from the work of Nur Al-Din ‘Abd Al-Rahman Jami’, the famous Jami, a political scholar and writer of mystical Sufi literature. It represents a scene of Yusuf and Zulaykha (the history of the biblical Joseph and the Egyptian wife of Potiphar, chief of the Pharaoh's guardsmen).

Spherical body with conical upper section, arched handle with casket-shaped filler hole to the apex; curved spout with flange rim; flared foot; low-relief vegetation detail overall; casket with hinged lid to access hollow arch; reserved panels with calligraphic text to equator. 1.32 kg, 30.1 cm high



Private collection, UK.

Shallow plate with flat base, painted geometric decoration on the inner walls, and the base with a splayed eagle surrounded by fish and other motifs. 765 grams, 25 cm wide



From a UK collection formed in the 1980s. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman.

Velvet panel with embroidered figure of a peacock in stem stitch, couching, satin stitch and other techniques; second fabric panel with fronds in stem and other stitches; the threads with metallic content, threaded beads; set in a glazed wooden frame. 745 grams, 29.5 x 24.5 cm



Private collection, London, UK.