Page 118 - South East Asian Art, December 4th 2020 Galerie Zacke Galerie Zacke

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A RARe Pyu AVeNTuRINe ‘TIgeR’ TAlIsMAN
Pyu city-states, 2nd-10th century. The semi-translucent stone of a mottled
spinach-green tone with natural light and dark inclusions, skillfully carved and
neatly incised to depict a tiger looking forwards with a short tail and almost
straight back. Pierced through the tiger’s mouth and tail to allow suspension as a
pendant.

This piece was personally examined by Burmese American archaeologist and
gemologist Terence Tan, a leading expert in Pyu art and Burmese gemstones,
and Hungarian gemologist Dr. József Takács. Their analysis finds that the stone
is an aventurine and the talisman is original, ancient, cut by hand with carving,
boring and grinding. The color is original and natural. There are no traces of dye
in the recesses or on the surface of the stone. There are clearly visible traces of
ancient primitive tools on the surface. The stone has been cleaned by hand and
re-polished; the fine ancient patina has been preserved. The holes are ancient,
irregular, and funnel-shaped. A certificate signed by Dr. Zelnik attesting to the
above will be handed to the winning bidder upon request.
Provenance: Ex-Collection of The Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum.
Institutional art collection in Belgium, acquired from the above.
condition: Very good condition with minor traces of age and wear.

Weight: 74.8 g
Dimensions: Length 9 cm
Literature comparison: Similar tiger talismans are published throughout Burmese
Gemstone Amulets and Talismans Volume 1 (part of the series From the
Collection of Dr. Zelnik), Budapest 2016.

estimate euR 3,000
Starting price EUr 1,500

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