Ethnic Design Collection Reto Zehnder

Beautiful Tibetan Beaded Collar Breastplate, decorated with dark red glass beads, cowry shells and a central element with fragments of semi-precious stones. 

A large “tilhari” wedding necklace that used to be fashionable among most Middle Hill groups, especially the Tamang, Gurung, and Kiranti. Currently, Nepali women from these ethnic groups wear a smaller version in gold, if they can afford it. The "tilhari" is a primary emblem of married women. The wearing of this necklace symbolizes the wish for a long life of the husband.

A small antique Tibetan Gau Amulet Box, traditional among all Buddhist groups of Tibet, while the oval domed front is of silver, engraved Tibetan motifs and the back section is made of copper. The red centrepiece has a carnelian?? bead. The box is in perfect condition and still closed, and it hasn't been opened, so we dont know its content.

Beautiful Tibetan beaded collar, decorated with dark red glass beads, and metals dangles .

A necklace with small tubular red and large white glass beads.

Formed by phallic or bullet shaped pieces of bone set into metal bezels that are strung together in a neckband or collar. These collars are believed to contain a strong apotropaic magic power to turn away harm, prevent evil spirits rising to the head, or averting the evil eye. Worn by Tharu tribes women in the Nepalese lowlands (karnali region).

Formed by phallic or bullet shaped pieces of bone set into metal bezels that are strung together in a neckband or collar. These collars are believed to contain a strong apotropaic magic power to turn away harm, prevent evil spirits rising to the head, or averting the evil eye. Worn by Tharu tribes women in the Nepalese lowlands (karnali region). The necklace has a small silver box  in the center.

Formed by phallic or bullet shaped pieces of bone set into metal bezels that are strung together in a neckband or collar. These collars are believed to contain a strong apotropaic magic power to turn away harm, prevent evil spirits rising to the head, or averting the evil eye. Worn by Tharu tribes women in the Nepalese lowlands (karnali region).

Cuff bracelet in white metal alloy and with a row of sturdy points, worn by women of different hill tribes.

Old Kalli annklet from Nepal. These heavy anklets are now out of fashion, they used to be worn by married women until the birth of their first child. The anklet ends with two large lotus buds; the hoops are stylised dragon bodies with pointy, leaf-like scales. Following Hindu tradition jewellery below the waist can not be made of gold, the sacred metal.

Necklace Miao, the hexagonal shaped ring In the center a large circular disc with spiral decoration is suspended

Formed by phallic or bullet shaped pieces of bone set into metal bezels that are strung together in a neckband or collar. These collars are believed to contain a strong apotropaic magic power to turn away harm, prevent evil spirits rising to the head, or averting the evil eye. Worn by Tharu tribes women in the Nepalese lowlands (karnali region).

This lovely necklaces are worn by the Rana Tharu of South Western Nepal. A multitude of repeated metal elements are strung on a clourful cotton string. Necklaces are made using metal alloy spiked beads that are strung together on twisted cotton strands. The necklace is artfully made so that it lays perfectly around the neck. In addition ten old indian 1 or 2 repee coins, only one date (1946) can still be read.   

This lovely necklaces are worn by the Rana Tharu of South Western Nepal. A multitude of repeated metal elements are strung on a clourful cotton string. On each end are two terminals ends of flattened conical plaque form. The necklace is artfully made so that it lays perfectly around the neck. In addition ten old indian 1 or 2 repee coins, only one date (1946) can still be read. Similar necklaces arefound in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh in India.

Small ga'u amulet box with turquoise cabochon. Silver front and copper back.

Beautiful ancient yurt hanging from the Altai region  in fair condition with a pink border.  Signed and dated: "1969 2 au 10. Cara??Mucnu"

This is a lovely yurt hanging from the Altai region in Mongolia, populated by Kyrgyz and Kazakh tribes is in good condition. The patterns show a Mongolian or Chinese influence. Signed and dated: 1974 - S.Tus kiiz (Kazakh) and tush kiyiz (Kyrgyz) were often made by a grandmother for a newly married couple, or handed down from mother to daughter. 

Red felt carpet, bought in the Pamir Highlands.  See the pictures to judge some damage on the edges.

This is a thangka in it's classical and stylised form of Tibetan painting, consisting of a painted picture panel surrounded by a textile mantle that is supported by scroll sticks and overlain with a silk cover. The central motif represents Black Hayagriva riding a horse (Tibetan: tam drin. English: the Black Horse Necked One): from the Revealed Treasure Tradition of Guru Chowang (1212-1273)

Gilt Bronze Seated Tibetan Buddha with Crown. Probably  Zambala or Namtetze this particular Deity is related to increase of wealth, worldly or better spiritual wealth.

Pouch used by Tibetan monks to store prayer beads, bell etc... A rare example in perfect condition, decorated with a stone medallion with a bronze button.

Magnificent antique tibetan embroidery in silk, representing mythical animal. An exceptional piece.

Magnificent antique tibetan embroidery in silk, representing a bird. An exceptional piece.

Buddhism lies at the heart of all Tibetan art with thangkas (in Tibetan thang yig meaning ‘recorded message’) emerging as one of the most important Tibetan art forms. Tibetans have always revered thangkas as a treasure of great value. This is an antique thanka painted on fabrics and framed in an antique frame. The thanka is in fair condition for its age, and the frame shows some signs of burns. We would be glad for any description and/or evaluation of this object.

Antique Tibetan silver earring with coral and turquoise inlay. They were placed on each side of the face hiding both ears, either attached with small hooks to the headdress or hanging with a thread over the head. Worn in the Chamdo region of East Tibet and also in central Tibet by men and women.

These rosaries are worn on the left wrist and serve to say the long Buddhist mantras.

These rosaries are worn on the left wrist and serve to say the long Buddhist mantras. The three beads on the bottom refers to the Buddhist trinity.

Very nice rosary with creamy coloured ivory?, tuqoise and coral imitation beads. These rosaries are worn on the left wrist and serve to say the long Buddhist mantras.

Nice small necklace with nice old beads, probably ivory.