Ethnic Design Collection Reto Zehnder

A ritual vessel, called ‘Kos’, of the Kafirs (today's Nuristan - Afhanistan). The bowl is carved from one walnut piece, with carved ram’s head on the front and grip on the back. A unique rare piece.

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)

Hand-painted antique Mongolian wedding box with bird and flower motifs. Flowers represent prosperity for the newlyweds. Red is used for weddings to bless the couple with happiness. The interior is entirely covered with Chinese symbols. We would be glad if someone could give as more information about them.

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.

A long wooden rice cutter, with a human figure on the top. Absolute lovely patina; an exceptional item.

Beautiful antique rice cutter from the Philippines. This entirely bronze and iron cutter has a lovely patina; an exceptional item.

Beautiful carved antique red Nandi Bull of Shiva, in perfect condition. The statue bears a boy on its back. For further explanation consult the description on the detail page

This antique Nandi is entirely different from conventional models. The Nandi is not sitting but standing, we have no further explanation of the significan^ce of this position. For further explanation consults the description on the detail page.

The sitting Nandi Bull of Shiva, in its original weathered condition.
One still distinguishes the beautiful carvings. The cover of the box inside the body of the bull is missing. Nevertheless, a unique and rare statue For further explanation consults the description on the detail page.

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.

Pot for churring butter

Nepalese milk pot used to churring butter. Nice old item with dark patina.

Old ghurrah in the form of a stylized temple. Beautiful patina and signs of intensive use.

A light dark ghurrah with a conical solar disk which shows signs of intensive use. The shaft is formed of four decorated rods, kept together by an eternal knot. The head disk, around which the Ghurra was attached, bears lotus  yantras. 

An exceptional Ghurra, with dark black patina. The solar disk is linked to a rectangular top part with the holes to attach the ghurrah to a pole. The shaft has an unusual twisted form highly decorated. This ghurrah comes with its stand.

Highly decorative and interesting churing-rod holder. This ghurrah is a striking example of how elements of daily life have been integrated into the sculpture.  The cow, as a symbol of wealth and happiness, expresses the vital importance of milk. The cow is considered as a celestial being, the great mother /Kharma-Dhenu) of all living beings. The cow stands on a stylized Nepalese house, or pagoda tempel, with 14 pillars inside them Two balls rattle. Beautiful patina and signs of prolonged use, inclusive stand. (cf Smedt200, p. 199)

A light dark ghurrah with a conical solar disk. The front of the solar disk is strongly weatherted. The shaft is formed of four decorated rods, coiled around by a Vasuki eternal knot. The conigal circumference bears carvings "tree of life" motifs. Another beautiful object of a highly decorartive power.

According to Smedt200 (p. 408), this simple ghurra represents a ritual mirror (darpana) that reflect the divine power and knowledge. Mirrors are used daily to ensure the exact ritual position of the tika on the forehead. The solar disk is decorated on the front side with a thousand petalled lotus flower. This ghurra comes with its stand and the cord which served to turn the churring rod.

This ghurra has elegant and precise lines and a beautiful patina which makes it an extraordinary design object in every modern environment. The ghurra comes with its stand.

The solar disk shos signs of intensive and lengthy use. The linga part has parallel lines on the upper part and a stylized eternal knot in the middle part. The head part is shaped like a serpents head

Both ends of this sparrsly decorated Ghurra in light an clear wood,are cube shaped. According to Smedt2000:  "the square here symbolizes the 4 sheres of existence (Vasus), cosmic space governed by the god Vishnu. The four angular points symbolises the four classes in Vedic society: a reference to leading a dutiful life in accordance with the class or caste one belongs to."

A unique design, which could not be attributed to a specific tribe. Richly decorated.

This ghurra is shaped in the form of a pagoda temple or shrine. It is more recent than the other ghurras in the collection and has probably hardly been used. It comes with its stand.

Beautiful ghurra in a classical form. The 4 columns (serpents?)  forming the linga part are linked together by an eternal knot. The head bears engravings of 26 petalled lotus flower.

A ghurra in light brown wood has a solar disk decorated with a 42 petaled lotus flower, and a sitting figure serves as the handle.

Probably from Bahun ethnic group. This is a yoni-linga type ghurra. The lower end is decorated with 9 petalled lotus flower.

An nice example of an abstract anthropomorphic representation of the human body, despicting the god Vishnu in the context of churning of the Cosmic Ocean in order to obtain Amrita – the nectar of immortal life. Made out of a cylinder shaped disk and square based truncated pyramid decorated with four milk jugs at the top linked together by means of a beam-shaped shaft around wich an endless knot winds. The endless knot or eternal knot is a symbolic knot and one of the Eight Auspicious Symbols.