Page 119 - South East Asian Art, December 4th 2020 Galerie Zacke Galerie Zacke

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A VeRy RARe Pyu AVeNTuRINe TAlIsMAN
dePIcTINg A TIgeR WITh cub IN ITs MOuTh
Pyu city-states, 2nd-10th century. The mostly opaque stone of a mottled spinach-
green tone with natural dark inclusions, finely carved as a tiger carrying a cub in
its mouth with only the four small legs showing, a very rare depiction. Pierced
through the tiger’s neck 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 natural. There are no traces of dye in
the recesses or on the surface of the stone. There are clearly visible traces of
authentic ancient craftsmanship on the surface. The stone has been cleaned
by hand; the fine ancient patina has been preserved. The holes are ancient,
handmade, 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 as well as soil
encrustations.
Weight: 66.2 g
Dimensions: Length 9.9 cm
Literature comparison: Similar tiger talismans are published in Burmese
Gemstone Amulets and Talismans Volume 1 (part of the series From the
Collection of Dr. Zelnik), pages 94/95 and 142/143, Budapest 2016.
estimate euR 6,000
Starting price EUr 3,000

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