Vintage Indonesian Dancing Shiva Nataraja Statue, 1970s, Bali

A heavy and well cast South Indian bronze figure of Shiva Nataraja, or Shiva as Lord of the Dance, in the Chola style, late 19th or early 20th century, India. Shiva is portrayed here in his form as Nataraja, the Lord of the Dance. An iconic and powerful image, Shiva is portrayed engaged in his dance of creation, protection, and destruction, bringing together all his aspects into one sublime form. Shiva dances ecstatically, facing the viewer with his body twisted, his long locks of hair streaming out around him, his four arms in action, with one leg raised, the other stomping on the dwarf demon Apasmara, who represents spiritual ignorance. In one hand he holds a damaru, or ritual drum...

A large and impressive vintage gilt bronze figure of the tantric Buddha Vajrasattva, the Diamond Thunderbolt, mid 20th century, Nepal. Crafted of cast and richly gilt bronze, Vajrasattva sits in vajrasana, or full lotus position, his torso slightly bent at the waist. He holds an upright vajra scepter in one hand, raised at heart level. His other hand, resting on his hip, would originally have held a a ghanta, or bell, which is now missing. He is festooned in jewelry, including a five pointed crown, earrings, necklaces and armlets, all studded with coral and turquoise beads. His long hair falling in elegant tresses around his shoulders, the rest tied up in a high chignon topped by a vajra. Vajrasattva wears a dhoti covering his lower half. The dhoti intricately cast and carved with a scrolling vegetal design, and featuring images from the Ashtamangala, or Eight Auspicious Emblems, including the conch, endless knot, and double fish. Scarves billow out around his arms. The tantric Buddha sits upon a tall double lotus throne, the back with more intricately cast decorations of dragons and lotus blossoms against dense vegetal scrolls. The base sealed with a dented copper plate inscribed with a visvajra, or double vajra...