Gallery of Rare Jewels | David Humphrey Works of Art

19th c. Silver Reliquary Stupa

This extraordinary silver Tibetan Buddhist reliquary in the form of a Stupa, set with coral and turquoise, is sealed with prayers by a chase and repousee Padmasambhava. The figures on the lower levels are of those suffering from ignorance. Auspicious symbols assist the aspirants and toward the upper sections, the enlightened ones are depicted and surround the fully enlightened one at the top on either side.

Zushi Reiliquary 18th c.

The copper alloy reliquary in the form of the flaming pearl of wisdom on a lotus stand, holds jewels in nine portals behind glass. Enshrined in a gilt lacquer zushi with panels on both front and back.

19th c. Portable Shrine - Five panels of Indian Miniatures

A charming portable shrine of brass and gilding, which opens to five breath taking Indian miniature paintings decorated further with gold, basra pearls and gems . The panels feature Krishna and Arjun, Shiva and Parvati, Ganesh with Siddhi and Riddhi and Durga astride the tiger.
Due to its age and condition, the paper has been professionally conserved to the extent possible.
7 3/4 x 5 3/4 inches

Indian Miniature of a Bejeweled Maharani 18th-19thc India

A bejeweled Maharani! This oil measures 2 3/4 x 3 3/4 inches. It dates to the late 18th to early 19th century and rests in a metal frame shielded by beveled glass, which is slightly chipped at the lower left as can be seen in the 2nd image.

18th c. Matador Figure

The 18th c. figure of this matador is a striking example of the Neopolitan or Creche sculptural traditions. This sensitive depiction is, most likely, that of a great matador of 18th century Spain. There has been some restoration to the front foot to strengthen stability. Otherwise, since "time and tide wait for no figure", threads in places may be bare, but the strength of the spirit, the "duende" of this matador, remains untouched by the ravages of time.
27 inches tall

Precolumbian Gold Breast Plate

The high karat Precolumbian gold breast plate from Veraguas, W. Panama dates to the 15th c. and is of hammered native gold. The animal depicted is most likely the Panamanian crocodile or Largarto Aguja.
13.06 grams 22 karat+ gold
2 11/16" diameter
Provenance: Dale Flores Collection

Ancient Kohl Dish - 3rd c. BC

This dish was found in the Necropolis north of the ancient Punic city of Kerkouane in Tunisia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Necropolis_of_Kerkouane The recessed center indicates that the dish was probably used in a woman’s chamber for the application of kohl, the ancient eye cosmetic still in use today in Africa and India.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kohl
The dish measures 8 inches in diameter.

Qing Dynasty Buckle Tourmaline and jadeite

This Qing Dynasty (turn of the 20th century) buckle features a large polished, pink tourmaline slice from California and a Burmese "moss on snow" jadeite. The gilt copper buckle features ice crackle decoration behind the transparent pink tourmaline. The Empress Dowager, Tzu-hsi, was the most important patron of California tourmalines during her lifetime and consequently China became its biggest importer in the late 19th century.

19th century Chinese Water Coupe

This beautiful example of Chinese taste is a 19th century water coupe with a rich flambe glaze. 1 3/4" tall.

"Water coupes were small pots for ornamental as well as functional use by Chinese scholars. Displayed on their desks, they were filled with water for making ink or for refilling the artist's brush washers to clean their writing utensils. Many were delicately carved from a variety of colored jades and agates and were patterned after organic plant forms or animals."

Information courtesy of Lois Thomas, p4A.com editor, April, 2009.

Pre Columbian Jaquar Head - Basalt - Costa Rica

Over 800 years old, this dramatic jaguar head was once attached to a massive metate or corn grinding platform, in the shape of a jaguar. The jaguar head was found in Costa Rica, attached to a mail box by the concrete extension, wood and bolt arrangement seen in the photo below. The entire artifact measures 6 1/2 x 15 inches (including the bolt extensions)

Cloisonne lidded cup - China 18th century

The charming cloisonne lidded cup measures 1 1/2" in diameter. Late 18th century (Qianlong Period)