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Khmer Empire, late Angkor period, 14th-15th century. The box and cover crafted from silver and of octagonal shape with a splayed foot, finely executed in repoussé with foliate and floral designs, the base with a mark in the form of a flower within a shrivatsa (endless knot), the cover topped by a gold element with fine repoussé decorations in a floral composition bordered by scroll designs.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, the gold top attached to the cover with black wax.Weight: 29.4 gDimensions: Height 4.3 cm 

Champa, 10th-14th century. Shaped as a tropical fruit with many spikes all around as well as scrolling waves and other geometric patterns, all executed in fine repoussé with good incision work.Provenance: Ex-Collection of The Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum. Institutional art collection in Belgium, acquired from the above. Collector’s label to base.Condition: Very good condition with minor traces of age and wear, with little verdigris and copper-red patina to the interior.Weight: 165.0 gDimensions: Height 11 cm 

Indonesia, Java, 19th century. The large silver crown consisting of many separately crafted pieces riveted together, impressively executed in fine repoussé with minute floral and geometric patterns all around, with the frontal element showing an imposing bird of prey with large wings.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.Weight: 1,048 gDimensions: Height 23.8 cmPublished: The Zelnik Istvan Southeast Asian Gold Museum, pages 200/201, Budapest 2013. 

Indonesia, Tanimbar, 19th century or earlier. The richly decorated dish executed in fine repoussé, showing four phoenixes arranged in a stylized swastika in the center of the well surrounded by scroll borders, with a geometric border around the interior sides and another scroll border around the rim.Provenance: Ex-Collection of The Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum. Institutional art collection in Belgium, acquired from the above.Condition: Good condition with minor traces of wear, few miniscule losses around the rim.Weight: 103.6 gDimensions: Diameter 27 cmPublished: The Zelnik Istvan Southeast Asian Gold Museum, page 220, Budapest 2013. 

Champa, 10th-12th century. The head displaying the classic iconography of Shiva, the central deity of the Cham people, with long earlobes and piled up locks of hair. The face showing a fine, calm expression with almondshaped eyes, one uninterrupted bow-shaped eyebrow below the third eye, a broad nose, an elegantly curved mustache, and thick lips forming a subtle smile. Gold and silver Shiva heads such as this one once belonged to mukhalingas but were often separated due to the weak riveting used to fix the heads to the linga bodies.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.Weight: 260.2 gDimensions: Height 17.2 cmPublished: The Zelnik Istvan Southeast Asian Gold Museum, page 174, Budapest 2013. 

Pyu city-states, 2nd-10th century. The semi-translucent stone of a black color with white bands and natural dark-brown inclusions, skillfully carved and incised as a dog with a bushy bifurcated tail obscuring its hind legs. Pierced through the dog’s neck and tail to allow for 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 a very rare, beautiful, and natural banded black agate with natural white stripes and the talisman is original, ancient, cut by hand with carving, boring and grinding. The color is original and natural, with no trace of dying in the material and microcracks. The stone has been cleaned by hand using organic oil and its surface is smooth and polished, while the fine ancient patina has been preserved. The marks of primitive tools are clearly visible on the surface. The holes are ancient, handmade, irregular, funnel-shaped, executed from both sides using iron needles. 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, one tiny natural fissure to the tail.Weight: 15.4 gDimensions: Length 4.3 cmLiterature comparison: A very similar dog talisman is published in Burmese Gemstone Amulets and Talismans Volume 1 (part of the series From the Collection of Dr. Zelnik), page 168, Budapest 2016. 

Champa, 10th-13th century. The richly decorated ring set with an oval amethyst at the top flanked by two smaller gemstones (zircon and aventurine), the ring band with fine repoussé showing stylized tiger heads on the shoulder and scrolling cloud designs at the top.Provenance: Ex-Collection of The Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum. Institutional art collection in Belgium, acquired from the above.Condition: Good condition with expected traces of age and wear as well as soil encrustations, the central stone with some natural inclusions.Weight: 12.5 gDimensions: Size 3.6 x 3.5 cm, Inner Diameter 2.5 cmPublished: Gold Treasures of the Cham Kingdoms from the Collection of Dr. Zelnik Volume 2, no. 24 (page 104), Budapest 2008.Assay data: Gold 67-68 %, Silver 20-30 %, Copper 1-2 % (traces of iron and zinc).  

Champa, 10th-12th century. The richly decorated pendant with fine repoussé depicting Ganesha dancing surrounded by scrolling cloud designs and set with five gemstones above the Hindu deity’s head and three gemstones below his feet.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: 32.6 gDimensions: Size 9.2 x 7.7 cmAlloy composition range: Gold 64-72 %, Silver 24-28 %, Copper 2-4 %.

Cambodia or Laos, 10th-12th century. The gold plaque with fine repoussé and neatly incised details depicting Buddha standing in samapada on a double lotus dais, his right hand raised in abhaya mudra, wearing a samghati draped over the left shoulder, showing a calm expression with almond eyes, long earlobes, a broad nose, and a benevolent smile, the hair in tight curls surmounted by an ushnisha.Provenance: Ex-Collection of The Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum. Institutional art collection in Belgium, acquired from the above.Condition: Good condition with some minor bending, traces of age and wear, as well as soil encrustations.Weight: 3.5 gDimensions: Size 8.4 x 3.9 cm 

Burma, 15th-17th century. The gold plaque with fine repoussé depicting Buddha standing with the right hand raised in abhaya mudra and the left hand lowered in vitarka mudra, wearing a samghati around his left shoulder, the face with a meditative expression, long earlobes, and urna, the hair in tight curls surmounted by an ushnisha, a halo behind the head. The edges of the plaque are pierced with several small holes for attachment.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 one miniscule tear around a piercing to the lower edge, expected minor traces of age and wear as well as soil encrustations.Weight: 5.5 gDimensions: Size 8.9 x 5.1 cm 

Southeast Asia, 1st millennium AD. The coins were excavated in Myanmar, in what was formerly the territory of Champa, most of circular form and a few coins of rectangular or irregular shape, all of varying size and thickness, and with fine repoussé showing Vedic symbols, sun, star, and floral designs, Sanskrit characters, conches, bulls, mythical beasts, and deities.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, some coins with verdigris.Weight: 612.0 gDimensions: Diameter 3.8 cm (the largest) and 0.9 cm (the smallest) 

Pyu city-states, 2nd-10th century. The opaque stone of a black tone, finely carved to represent a leopard seated upright with all four paws on the ground, the tail only indicated by fine incision work. Pierced through the sides 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 a black agate (onyx) and the talisman is original, ancient, cut by hand with carving, chiseling, boring and grinding. The color is natural. The stone has been cleaned by hand. There are sandy deposits in the recesses of the surface. There are no traces of dye on the surface of the stone. The marks of authentic ancient craftsmanship are clearly visible. The holes are ancient, handmade, irregular, funnel-shaped, with no trace of intervention at a later period. 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.Weight: 60.4 gDimensions: Height 6.2 cm 

Champa, 10th-12th century. The richly decorated silver pendant of rhombic shape, with fine repoussé depicting Ganesha dancing, surrounded by scrolling cloud designs, and set with two gemstones to either side and three gemstones at the bottom.Provenance: Ex-Collection of The Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum. Institutional art collection in Belgium, acquired from the above.Condition: Good condition with expected minor traces of age and wear, some verdigris here and there, some tarnishing and golden-brown patina in some areas.Weight: 29.9 gDimensions: Size 11.5 x 8.9 cm. 

Burma, 6th-10th century. The bangle with one end molded as a very expressive dragon head with the open mouth revealing its teeth, the dragon’s scales covering the entire bangle save for the other end of globular shape.Provenance: Ex-Collection of The Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum. Institutional art collection in Belgium, acquired from the above.Condition: Good condition commensurate with age, with traces of age and wear, and a fine malachite-green patina.Weight: 157.2 gDimensions: Outer Diameter 10.1 cm, Inner Diameter 7.6 cm 

Champa, 10th-12th century. The richly decorated pectoral with fine repoussé depicting Nandi, the holy white bull of Hindu mythology and mount of Shiva, the top section of the pectoral representing nagas but reminiscent of bull horns in their shape, surrounded by scrolling cloud designs, set with four gemstones (zircon and amethyst) above the bull. Two gold hooks allow the pectoral to be worn as a necklace.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 little verdigris and soil encrustations.Weight: 21.2 gDimensions: Size 5.7 x 8.8 cmPublished: The Zelnik Istvan Southeast Asian Gold Museum, page 140, Budapest 2013.Alloy composition range: Gold 64-72 %, Silver 24-28 %, Copper 2-4 %. 

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 gDimensions: Length 9.9 cmLiterature 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. 

Cambodia or Laos, 10th-12th century. The gold plaque with fine repoussé and neatly incised details depicting three Buddhas, one in the center seated in dhyanasana on a lotus throne, showing the bhumisparsa mudra, and wearing a samghati draped over the left shoulder, flanked by two smaller Buddhas, each kneeling on a lotus pedestal with their hands clasped together, all with calm expressions and subtle smiles, the central figure with an ushnisha, all within a shrine surmounted by seven stupas.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: 5.9 gDimensions: Size 8 x 6.7 cm 

Champa, 14th-17th century (the larger box) and 19th century (the smaller box). Both of globular form and shaped as tropical fruit with stems at the top, executed in fine repoussé with geometric patterns throughout, the larger box with silver wire petals below the stem, the smaller box with a neatly incised leaf next to the stem.Provenance: Ex-Collection of The Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum. Institutional art collection in Belgium, acquired from the above.Condition: Good condition commensurate with age, with traces of age and wear, some verdigris, and soil encrustations. The cover of the smaller box is lost.Weight: 137.8 g (total)Dimensions: Height 6 cm and 5 cmLiterature comparison: A similar piece is in the National Museum of Cambodia, inventory number Ga.4826. 

Cambodia, pre-Angkor period, 6th-9th century. The lingam of oblong shape in a stepped circular yoni, a symbol of fertility and creation representing Lord Shiva.Provenance: Ex-Collection of The Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum. Institutional art collection in Belgium, acquired from the above.Condition: Good condition commensurate with age, with extensive traces of age and wear, fine-malachite green patina throughout the exterior.Weight: 120.2 gDimensions: Height 6.6 cm, Diameter 11 cm 

Pyu city-states, 2nd-10th century. The translucent stone of a light to brownish cream tone with bands of yellow, brown, and grey as well as natural white inclusions, skillfully carved and neatly incised to depict a tiger with the back arched and the front paws extended forwards as if preparing to pounce at its prey. Pierced through the tiger’s mouth 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 a natural banded ‘honey’ agate and the talisman is original, ancient, cut by hand with carving, chiseling, boring and grinding. The color is rare, original, and natural. The stone has been cleaned in a tumbler and re-polished by hand to a smooth and shiny surface while preserving the fine ancient patina. There are no traces of later dying in the recesses of the stone. The marks of authentic ancient craftsmanship are still visible. 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.Weight: 56.9 gDimensions: Length 7.9 cmLiterature comparison: Similar tiger talismans are published throughout Burmese Gemstone Amulets and Talismans Volume 1 (part of the series From the Collection of Dr. Zelnik), Budapest 2016, a closely related tiger is illustrated on page 99. 

Champa, Tra Kieu style, 10th-12th century. The richly decorated pectoral of an elegantly curved three-pronged shape, with fine repoussé depicting Ganesha dancing surrounded by scrolling cloud designs, and set with many different gemstones, seven gemstones above Ganesha’s head forming a flower. Two gold hooks allow the pectoral to be worn as a necklace.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 some verdigris and soil encrustations.Weight: 46.5 gDimensions: Size 10 x 13.8 cmPublished: The Zelnik Istvan Southeast Asian Gold Museum, page 151, Budapest 2013. Art of Champa, Arts of Southeast Asia, page 73, Issue 4, 2020.Alloy composition range: Gold 64-72 %, Silver 24-28 %, Copper 2-4 %. 

Khmer Empire, Angkor period, 10th-13th century. The plaques with fine repoussé depicting a dancing deity wearing a crown, flanked by two mythical beasts, and surrounded by leafy vines.Provenance: Ex-Collection of The Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum. Institutional art collection in Belgium, acquired from the above.Condition: Good condition with few small losses, minor expected traces of age and wear, and soil encrustations.Weight: 93.6 gDimensions: Size 16.8 x 13.6 cm 

Champa, 10th-14th century. One box of globular shape and two of octagonal form, each executed in fine repoussé with floral and geometric designs, two with skillfully executed repoussé floral marks to the base.Provenance: Ex-Collection of The Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum. Institutional art collection in Belgium, acquired from the above.Condition: Good condition commensurate with age, with extensive traces of age and wear, few small losses, two boxes with areas of verdigris.Weight: 72.0 g (total)Dimensions: Height 2.5 cm (the shortest), 6 cm (the tallest)Published: The Zelnik Istvan Southeast Asian Gold Museum, page 197, Budapest 2013 (the mid-sized box, erroneously described as from Cambodia, Angkor period).Literature comparison: A similar octagonal medicine box is in the National Museum of Cambodia, inventory number Ga.5732. 

Champa, 10th-12th century. The box of square form with a square pyramidshaped cover surmounted by a round stepped finial. Finely executed in repoussé with male deities under arches on the box and Nandi bulls on the cover, all surrounded by scrolling cloud designs, and set with multiple gemstones (spinel, amethyst, zircon, and almandine), one on each side of the box and four on the finial as well as a pierced gemstone bead at the top.Provenance: Ex-Collection of The Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum. Institutional art collection in Belgium, acquired from the above.Condition: Good condition with minor traces of age and wear, some small dents and minor bending, soil encrustations, and a fine malachite-green patina in some areas, particularly to the interior.Weight: 164.1 gDimensions: Size 11.5 x 9 x 9 cmPublished: The Zelnik Istvan Southeast Asian Gold Museum, page 145, Budapest 2013. This piece will also be featured in the upcoming book Gold and Silver Masterpieces from the Collection of Dr. Zelnik, to be published in 2021.Alloy composition range: Gold 64-72 %, Silver 24-28 %, Copper 2-4 %.Literature Comparison: A similar piece is published in Gold Treasures of the Cham kingdoms from the Collection of Dr. Zelnik Volume 2, no. 108 (pages 90-92), Budapest 2008, which is also published in Art of Champa, Arts of Southeast Asia, pages 72 and 117/118, Issue 4, 2020. 

Burma, 19th century. The ring top set with a large oval ruby, the shoulder set with two smaller round rubies surrounded by fine gold thread decorations, each small ruby appearing as a rose with the gold thread forming the stalk and leaves. Hallmarked at the bottom of the ring band.Provenance: Ex-Collection of The Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum. Institutional art collection in Belgium, acquired from the above.Condition: Excellent condition with few minor traces of age and wear.Weight: 10.8 gDimensions: Size 2.6 x 2.6 cm, Inner Diameter 2.1 cm 

Champa, 10th century. The crown with fine repoussé depicting the head of Shiva flanked by two dancing apsaras and further decorated with foliate, geometric, and scrolling designs.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, some minor bending, and soil encrustations.Weight: 35.9 gDimensions: Height 7.7 cm, Length 16 cmPublished: The Zelnik Istvan Southeast Asian Gold Museum, pages 110/111, Budapest 2013, and Gold Treasures of the Cham Kingdoms from the Collection of Dr. Zelnik Volume 1, no. 1 (pages 38/39 and 86), Budapest 2007. Art of Champa, Arts of Southeast Asia, page 51, Issue 4, 2020.Assay data: 66-67 % Gold, 29-30 % Silver, 2% Copper, traces of iron and zinc. 

Pyu city-states, 2nd-10th century. The opaque stone of a mottled spinach-green tone with natural white and dark inclusions, skillfully carved as a seated monkey looking sideways with its hands clasped together behind its head, as if trying to hide a piece of food or precious object it has found. Pierced through the monkey’s hands and legs 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 a green aventurine and the talisman is original, ancient, cut by hand with carving, boring and grinding. The color is original and natural. The stone has been cleaned by hand while preserving the fine ancient patina. There are no traces of dying in the recesses of the stone. The marks of authentic ancient craftsmanship are clearly visible. The holes are ancient, handmade, irregular, funnel-shaped, with no signs of modern intervention. 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.Weight: 24.1 gDimensions: Height 5.5 cm 

Champa, 10th-12th century. The head displaying the classic iconography of Shiva, the central deity of the Cham people, with long earlobes and piled up locks of hair. The face showing a fine, calm expression with almond-shaped eyes, one uninterrupted bow-shaped eyebrow below the third eye, a broad nose, an elegantly curved mustache, and thick lips forming a subtle smile. Gold and silver Shiva heads such as this one once belonged to mukhalingas but were often separated due to the weak riveting used to fix the heads to the linga bodies.Provenance: Ex-Collection of The Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum. Institutional art collection in Belgium, acquired from the above.Condition: Good condition with minor traces of age and wear, little verdigris here and there, some discoloration, and a fine iron-red patina.Weight: 146.6 gDimensions: Height 12.3 cmPublished: The Zelnik Istvan Southeast Asian Gold Museum, page 174, Budapest 2013. Jean-François Hubert, The Art of Champa, page 98, New York 2015. 

Cambodia or Laos, 10th-12th century. The gold plaque with fine repoussé and neatly incised details depicting Buddha standing on a lotus dais, his right hand raised in abhaya mudra, wearing a samghati draped over the left shoulder, showing a calm expression with downcast eyes, long earlobes, a broad nose, and a subtle smile, and wearing a crown.Provenance: Ex-Collection of The Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum. Institutional art collection in Belgium, acquired from the above.Condition: Good condition with some minor bending, traces of age and wear, as well as soil encrustations.Weight: 3.0 gDimensions: Size 8.5 x 3.7 cm 

Burma, 18th-19th century. The small yet impressively crafted box and cover of compressed globular form with a splayed foot, the cover with a conical protuberance reminiscent of a stupa around which eight oval rubies are set in a floral composition, the settings with fine gold wire decorations in the form of flower petals, the box and cover finely executed in repoussé with floral and foliate designs.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, some small dents.Weight: 28.6 gDimensions: Height 6.7 cm 

Champa, 10th-14th century. The box of compressed globular form, executed in fine repoussé with overlapping lotus leaves, the cover with a finial in the form of a closed lotus bud.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 few soil encrustations to the interior.Weight: 104.0 gDimensions: Height 7 cm, Diameter 7.7 cmPublished: The Zelnik Istvan Southeast Asian Gold Museum, page 72, Budapest 2013 (erroneously described as Ayutthaya, 14th-15th century).Alloy composition range: Gold 64-72 %, Silver 24-28 %, Copper 2-4 %. 

Champa, 12th-14th century. The dish executed in fine repoussé, showing four monkeys in the center of the well surrounded by a geometric border, with a scrolling tendril border around the rim.Provenance: Ex-Collection of The Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum. Institutional art collection in Belgium, acquired from the above.Condition: Good condition with minor traces of wear, some tears and associated losses to the well, a tear to the rim as well.Weight: 93.7 gDimensions: Diameter 19.4 cmAlloy composition range: Gold 64-72 %, Silver 24-28 %, Copper 2-4 %. 

Champa, 10th-12th century. The hairpin with a finial in fine repoussé showing the head of Ganesha on all four sides, crowned by two small balls, the lower one set with four gemstones and the upper one set with a gemstone at the top, all richly decorated with gold thread and small gold beads.Provenance: Ex-Collection of The Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum. Institutional art collection in Belgium, acquired from the above.Condition: Good condition with expected minor traces of age and wear as wellas few soil encrustations.Weight: 24.4 gDimensions: Length 18 cmPublished: The Zelnik Istvan Southeast Asian Gold Museum, page 68, Budapest 2013.Alloy composition range: Gold 64-72 %, Silver 24-28 %, Copper 2-4 %. 

Champa, 10th-12th century. The pectoral of rectangular form, with fine repoussé depicting Ganesha seated in dhyanasana, his long trunk reaching his protruding belly, and wearing a sash around his torso, surrounded by scrolling cloud designs, and set with six gemstones, three above Ganesha’s head and three below him. Two gold hooks allow the pectoral to be worn as a necklace.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: 17.7 gDimensions: Size 6.3 x 9.1 cmAlloy composition range: Gold 64-72 %, Silver 24-28 %, Copper 2-4 %. 

Champa, 10th-15th century. The betel holder of cylindrical shape tapering upwards to a stepped conical finial. The slightly recessed circular base executed in fine repoussé showing a tiger, indicating this piece was crafted by a Chamking’s personal goldsmith or workshop. This fine gold betel nut container was likely once a gift to a Vietnamese emperor from a Cham king.Provenance: Ex-collection of Bao Dai, last emperor of the Nguyen dynasty (a letter of provenance signed by Dr. Zelnik will be handed out to the winning bidder upon request). Ex-Collection of The Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum, acquired from the above. Institutional art collection in Belgium, acquired from the above.Condition: Very good condition with minor traces of age and wear, some soil encrustations, as well as white betel residue to the interior.Weight: 44.4 gDimensions: Height 9.5 cmPublished: The Zelnik Istvan Southeast Asian Gold Museum, page 195, Budapest 2013.Alloy composition range: Gold 64-72 %, Silver 24-28 %, Copper 2-4 %.Literature comparison: A very similiar gold betel nut container is published in Art of Champa, Arts of Southeast Asia, page 47, Issue 4, 2020. 

Samon Valley culture or early Pyu city-states, 800 BC-5th century AD. The ancient necklace consisting of 31 amethyst beads of oval and round shapes, pale to deep lavender color, and varying translucency, held together by a modern plastic string.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 stones are rare pink-colored amethysts, original, ancient, cut, carved, chiseled, bored, and ground. The beads are of different sizes and all made by hand using primitive tools. The color is original and natural. The stone has been cleaned by hand while preserving the fine ancient patina. There are no traces of later dying in the recesses of the stone. The beads have been cleaned by hand while preserving the fine ancient patina. The holes are ancient, handmade, and irregular. 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, some natural fissures to the stones, and surface scratches. Weight: 62.3 gDimensions: Length 49 cmPublished: Burmese Gemstone Beads From The Collection of Dr. Zelnik, no. BR. 856 (page 375), Budapest 2019. 

Champa, 8th-10th century. The gold plaques of rectangular form, each executed in fine repoussé depicting a standing elephant with distinctive features, such as the large ears, long trunk, and curved tusks, and with the tail raised high, as well as embossed with Sanskrit or old Cham characters. Each plaque pierced with small holes in all four corners for attachment.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: 5.0 gDimensions: Size 5.2 x 4.1 cm and 5 x 3.7 cmAlloy composition range: Gold 64-72 %, Silver 24-28 %, Copper 2-4 %.Literature comparison: A similar piece is published in The Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum, page 184, Budapest 2013. Two related plaques are also in the National Museum of Cambodia, inventory numbers NMC.325 and NMC.323. 

Champa, 15th-16th century. The plaque finely executed in repoussé depicting Vishnu, one of the principle deities of Hinduism, four-armed and holding the Sudarshana Chakra (war disk), a conch, a mace, and a divine jewel in his hands, wearing a high crown, richly adorned in jewelry, the face with a fine expression with arched brows, almond-shaped eyes, a broad nose, and slender lips, a halo behind his head, the attendant child to Vishnu’s side holding a lotus flower high above his head.Provenance: Ex-Collection of The Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum. Institutional art collection in Belgium, acquired from the above.Condition: Good condition with some minor bending and tears, some small losses, and minor traces of age and wear.Weight: 98.0 gDimensions: Size 33.9 x 19 cmPublished: The Zelnik Istvan Southeast Asian Gold Museum, page 40, Budapest 2013. 

Champa, 10th-12th century. The ring set with an oval agate at the top, surrounded by scroll designs executed in repoussé, the shoulder also with fine repoussé showing on both sides a rare depiction of a dancing Kala (kirthimukha), the demon of passing time.Provenance: Ex-Collection of The Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum. Institutional art collection in Belgium, acquired from the above.Condition: Good condition with expected traces of age and wear as well as soil encrustations, the central stone with some natural inclusions.Weight: 10.7 gDimensions: Size 3.1 x 3.0 cm, Inner Diameter 2.3 cmAlloy composition range: Gold 64-72 %, Silver 24-28 %, Copper 2-4 %. 

Gandhara, c. 2nd century. The diadem of triangular form, with fine repoussé depicting Buddha in the center, wearing a long-flowing robe with accentuated folds, the face with a calm yet strong expression, the hair surmounted by an ushnisha, a halo behind him, seated in dhyanasana on a rectangular throne with demons falling to hell below and showing the bhumisparsa mudra, flanked by the Hindu gods Brahma and Indra, surrounded by followers and soldiers, all witnessing his enlightenment and subsequent victory over the demonic celestial king Mara. 20 small separately crafted gold repoussé representations of Buddha meditating, seated in dhyanasana and showing the dhyana mudra, hang from the diadem, attached with gold wire.Likely this diadem was gifted to a Cham king by an Indian trader, Brahmin scholar, or possibly even a king, as part of the Indianization of Southeast Asia.Provenance: Ex-Collection of The Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum. Institutional art collection in Belgium, acquired from the above.Condition: Good condition with expected traces of age and wear, bending, and soil encrustations.Weight: 57.5 gDimensions: Size 12.6 x 30 cmPublished: The Zelnik Istvan Southeast Asian Gold Museum, pages 84 and 86/87, Budapest 2013. Gold Treasures of the Cham Kingdoms from theCollection of Dr. Zelnik Volume 2, no. 94 (page 130), Budapest 2008. Art of Champa, Arts of Southeast Asia, page 72, Issue 4, 2020. 

Indonesia, Tanimbar, 19th century or earlier. The richly decorated dish executed in fine repoussé, showing four peacocks arranged in a stylized swastika in the center of the well surrounded by two scroll borders, with various geometric and foliate borders around the interior sides and another scroll border around the rim.Provenance: Ex-Collection of The Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum. Institutional art collection in Belgium, acquired from the above.Condition: Good condition with minor traces of wear, some small tears with associated losses to the rim.Weight: 73.2 gDimensions: Diameter 23.2 cmLiterature comparison: Similiar dishes are published in The Zelnik Istvan Southeast Asian Gold Museum, page 220, Budapest 2013. 

Champa, 8th-10th century. The box of globular form with a recessed circular foot, the small circular cover with a cylindrical handle and decorated in fine repoussé with a flower.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, a small loss to the cover.Weight: 47.3 gDimensions: Height 9.8 cm 

Champa, Tra Kieu style, 10th-12th century. The richly decorated gold pectoral with fine repoussé depicting Ganesha dancing, surrounded by floral and scrolling cloud designs, and set with many different gemstones (amethyst and zircon), including three above the deity’s head and three below him. Two gold hooks are attached to the pectoral, allowing it to be worn as a necklace.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: 26.2 gDimensions: Size 8.6 x 10.9 cmPublished: Gold Treasures of the Cham Kingdoms from the Collection of Dr.Zelnik Volume 2, no. 72 (page 72), Budapest 2008 (described as 10th-14th century). Art of Champa, Arts of Southeast Asia, page 105, Issue 4, 2020.Assay data: Gold 67-68 %, Silver 30-31 %, Copper 1 %, traces of iron and zinc. 

Champa, 10th-13th century. The richly decorated ring set with an oval amethyst at the top surrounded by four smaller garnets, further with fine repoussé showing twice the head of a Cham king on the shoulder as well as scroll designs around the setting and shoulder.Provenance: Ex-Collection of The Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum. Institutional art collection in Belgium, acquired from the above.Condition: Good condition, some scratches to the shoulder on one side, expected traces of age and wear as well as soil encrustations.Weight: 12.7 gDimensions: Size 3.3 x 2.7 cm, Inner Diameter 2.2 cmPublished: Gold Treasures of the Cham Kingdoms from the Collection of Dr. Zelnik Volume 1, no. 34 (page 51), Budapest 2007.Alloy composition range: Gold 64-72 %, Silver 24-28 %, Copper 2-4 %. 

Cambodia or Laos, 10th-12th century. The gold plaque with fine repoussé and neatly incised details depicting three Buddhas, one in the center seated in dhyanasana and showing the bhumisparsa mudra, flanked by two Buddhas each standing in samapada on a lotus dais and showing the abhaya mudra, all with calm expressions, long earlobes, and subtle smiles, the figures within a shrine surmounted by five stupas.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: 5.9 gDimensions: Size 8.3 x 7 cm 

Champa, 10th-12th century. The lingam of cylindrical shape, with fine repoussé showing phallic markings and depicting Shiva’s locks of hair.Provenance: Ex-Collection of The Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum. Institutional art collection in Belgium, acquired from the above.Condition: Good condition with minor traces of age and wear, some minor bending, and soil encrustations.Weight: 126.6 gDimensions: Height 11 cm, Diameter 10.7 cmPublished: The Zelnik Istvan Southeast Asian Gold Museum, page 168, Budapest 2013. This piece will also be featured in the upcoming book Gold and Silver Masterpieces from the Collection of Dr. Zelnik, to be published in 2021.Alloy composition range: Gold 64-72 %, Silver 24-28 %, Copper 2-4 %.Literature comparison: A similar gold lingam is published in Art of Champa, Arts of Southeast Asia, page 73, Issue 4, 2020. 

Champa, 12th-14th century. The pectoral of rectangular form with an arched top, executed in fine repoussé with the four-armed Uma performing a dance, her husband Shiva’s trusted mount Nandi to her feet, the deity holding a dharmachakra, lotus bud, and vajra in her hands, wearing only a loincloth and crown, one hand covering one of her breasts, and richly adorned in jewelry. Two rock crystal cabochons are set to either side of Uma’s crown, and two amethyst cabochons set beside either leg.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: 19.8 gDimensions: Size 10.5 x 7.2 cmPublished: The Zelnik Istvan Southeast Asian Gold Museum, page 48, Budapest 2013, and Gold Treasures of the Cham Kingdoms from the Collection of Dr. Zelnik Volume 1, no. 4 (pages 44 and 87), Budapest 2007. Assay data: Gold 61-62 %, Silver 35 %, Copper 1-2 % (traces of iron and zinc). 

Pyu city-states, 2nd-10th century. The translucent stone of good clarity with some natural inclusions, finely carved as a tiger with a cub in its mouth, a very rare depiction. Large piercing through the mouth and tail allowing for 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 a rock crystal and the talisman is original, ancient, cut by hand with carving, chiseling, boring, and grinding. The color is original and natural. The stone has been cleaned by hand while preserving the fine ancient patina. There are clear marks of authentic ancient craftsmanship and use of primitive tools. The holes are ancient, handmade, irregular, funnel-shaped, the use of an iron needle is apparent due to the transparency of the stone, the holes having been made from both sides, the difficulty of execution can be seen. There is no evidence of a later external intervention or the use of modern instruments on this piece. 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.Weight: 48.3 gDimensions: Length 7.8 cmLiterature 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. 

Vietnam, 18th-19th century. The small gold spoon with an elegantly curved handle and an oval bowl, a fine example of gold craftsmanship.Provenance: Ex-collection of Bao Dai, last emperor of the Nguyen dynasty (a letter of provenance signed by Dr. Zelnik will be handed out to the winning bidder upon request). Ex-Collection of The Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum, acquired from the above. Institutional art collection in Belgium, acquired from the above.Condition: Very condition with minor traces of age and wear. Fine copper-red patina.Weight: 8.8 gDimensions: Length 8.9 cm 

Persia, Hellenistic period, 4th-1st century BC. The scarab talisman finely carved and incised, with a seal to the underside, and pierced to allow for suspension as an amulet. Scarabs were popular amulets and impression seals in ancient Egypt, a symbol for rebirth and regeneration which from the Middle Bronze Age (2100–1550 BC) spread across the Mediterranean and Middle East. This piece was found near Persepolis, the ancient capital of Persia. This piece was personally examined by Burmese American archaeologist and gemologist Terence Tan and Hungarian gemologist Dr. József Takács. Their analysis finds that the stone is a lapis lazuli of excellent quality from Afghanistan and the scarab is original, ancient, cut by hand with carving, chiseling, boring, and grinding. The color of the stone is original with no traces of dye in the recesses. The stone has been cleaned in a tumbler and re-polished by hand, preserving the fine ancient patina. The holes are ancient, irregular, and funnel-shaped. There are no traces of use of modern tools. A certificate signed by Dr. Zelnik attesting to the above will be handed to the winning bidder upon request.Provenance: Ex-collection of the imperial family of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, last Shah of Iran (a letter of provenance signed by Dr. Zelnik will be handed out to the winning bidder upon request). Ex-Collection of The Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum, acquired from the above. Institutional art collection in Belgium, acquired from the above.Condition: Very good condition with expected minor traces of age and wear.Weight: 3.0 gDimensions: Size 0.8 x 1.7 cm 

Champa, 18th-19th century. Two boxes of compressed globular shape, finely executed in repoussé with floral and geometric designs and an impressed flower mark to the circular base; one box of octagonal shape and with fine repoussé showing a flower at the top of the cover as well as an impressed floral mark to the base; and one box of tapering cylindrical form with a stepped finial and a recessed circular base.Provenance: Ex-Collection of The Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum. Institutional art collection in Belgium, acquired from the above. One box with old collector’s number to the base.Condition: Good condition with minor traces of age and wear, one box with little verdigris here and there.Weight: 199.3 g (total)Dimensions: Height 4 cm (the shortest), 8.2 cm (the tallest)Published: The Zelnik Istvan Southeast Asian Gold Museum, page 197, Budapest 2013 (the octagonal box, erroneously described as from Cambodia, Angkor period).Literature comparison: A similar octagonal medicine box is in the National Museum of Cambodia, inventory number Ga.5733. 

Southeast Asia, 1st millennium AD. The coins were excavated in Myanmar, in what was formerly the territory of Champa, each of circular shape and with fine repoussé showing either a crab or a scroll design.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.Weight: 11.4 gDimensions: Diameter ca. 0.8 cm (each) 

Champa, 15th-18th century. The betel holder of cylindrical shape, the cover tapering upwards to a stepped conical finial decorated with floral designs at the top, the recessed circular base with a skillfully executed floral mark in fine repoussé.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, few miniscule losses, some pink and white betel residue to the interior.Weight: 77.2 gDimensions: Height 12.5 cmLiterature comparison: Similar pieces in gold are published in The Zelnik Istvan Southeast Asian Gold Museum, page 195, Budapest 2013. Related betel nut containers can be found in the National Museum of Cambodia, for example inventory number NMC.468. 

Indonesia, central Java, 9th-10th century. The four-armed God of Wealth seated in lalitasana on a double lotus throne rising from the unsealed stepped square base, holding a mongoose expelling wish fulfilling jewels in his main left hand and a round vessel in his main right, a dharmachakra and a lotus flower held in his other two hands. His right foot is resting on a bowl from which jewels are falling out and this motif is repeated several times around the base. The deity richly adorned in jewelry and wearing a five-leaf crown, his face with a calm expression showing a benevolent smile, with a broad nose, arched eyebrows, and an urna, a flaming halo above two mythical beasts standing on elephants behind him.Jambhala originated in ancient India as the Hindu Lord of Wealth Kubera. At the beginning of the 8th century, the Medang Kingdom in central Java practiced a religion centered on the Hindu god Shiva, but soon afterwards the Sailendra dynasty rose in Kedu Plain and became a patron of Mahayana Buddhism, with Hinduism and Buddhism coexisting in central Java throughout the 9th and 10th century. This depiction of Jambhala, or Kubera, adheres more to the Buddhist iconography, with glimpses of the Hindu tradition.Provenance: Ex-Collection of The Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum. Institutional art collection in Belgium, acquired from the above.Condition: Good condition with minor traces of wear, fine copper-red patina, the back plate with halo has come apart.Weight: 305.3 gDimensions: Height 12 cmPublished: The Zelnik Istvan Southeast Asian Gold Museum, page 105, Budapest 2013. 

Khmer Empire, Angkor period, 13th-15th century. The plaques with fine repoussé, one depicting Buddha standing on a rectangular base with the right hand raised in abhaya mudra, wearing a long flowing robe, the hair in curls surmounted by an ushnisha, the other two depicting Buddha seated cross-legged with the hands forming the dhyana mudra, the gesture of meditation, showing benevolent expressions with arched brows, almond eyes, and subtle smiles, the hairs in tight curls, the smaller one with an ushnisha.Provenance: Ex-Collection of The Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum. Institutional art collection in Belgium, acquired from the above.Condition: Good condition with minor losses, traces of age and wear, and soil encrustations.Weight: 20.8 g (total)Dimensions: Size 10.8 x 5.1 cm, 8.5 x 5.2 cm, and 7.9 x 4.2 cmPublished: The Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum, page 90, Budapest 2016. Gold Treasures of the Cham Kingdoms from the Collection of Dr. Zelnik Volume 2, nos. 97 and 101 (pages 130/131) Budapest 2008 (the seated Buddha plaques).Assay data: Gold 1 %, Silver 94-95 %, Copper 3-4 % (the smaller seated Buddha). Gold 2 %, Silver 95 %, Copper 2 %, traces of iron (the larger seated Buddha).Literature comparison: A similar piece to the standing Buddha plaque is in the National Museum of Cambodia, inventory number Ga.2833.1-30 and Ga.7052.1-24. 

Cambodia or Laos, 10th-12th century. The gold plaque with fine repoussé and neatly incised details depicting three Buddhas, one in the center seated in dhyanasana on a lotus throne, showing the bhumisparsa mudra, and wearing a samghati draped over the left shoulder, flanked by two smaller Buddhas, each kneeling on a lotus pedestal with their hands clasped together, all with calm expressions and subtle smiles, the central figure with an ushnisha, all within a shrine surmounted by seven stupas.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: 7.0 gDimensions: Size 7.9 x 6.7 cm 

Champa, 10th-12th century. The hairpin with a finial in fine repoussé showing a dancing apsara on both sides, each with a decorative gemstone at the top.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 expected minor traces of age and wear as well as few soil encrustations.Weight: 23.8 gDimensions: Length 17.3 cmAlloy composition range: Gold 64-72 %, Silver 24-28 %, Copper 2-4 %. 

Southeast Asia, 1st millennium AD. The coins were excavated in Myanmar, in what was formerly the territory of Champa, each of circular shape and with fine repoussé showing Vedic symbols, Sanskrit characters, bulls, conches, and two with the rising sun motif commonly found in Pyu coins.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, little verdigris to some coins. Weight: 141.1 gDimensions: Diameter 3.8 cm (the largest) and 2.1 cm (the smallest) 

Pyu city-states, 2nd-10th century. The semi-translucent stone of a mottled spinach-green tone with natural light and dark inclusions, skillfully carved and neatly incised to depict a tiger looking forwards with a short tail and almost straight back. Pierced through the tiger’s mouth 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 original and natural. There are no traces of dye in the recesses or on the surface of the stone. There are clearly visible traces of ancient primitive tools on the surface. The stone has been cleaned by hand and re-polished; the fine ancient patina has been preserved. The holes are ancient, 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.Weight: 74.8 gDimensions: Length 9 cmLiterature comparison: Similar tiger talismans are published throughout Burmese Gemstone Amulets and Talismans Volume 1 (part of the series From the Collection of Dr. Zelnik), Budapest 2016. 

Pyu city-states, 2nd-10th century. The translucent stone of an iron red color with natural yellow to orange inclusions, skillfully carved and neatly incised to depict a tiger with the back arched and the front paws extended forwards as if preparing to pounce at its prey. 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 with a rare iron-red color and the talisman is original, ancient, cut by hand with carving, boring and grinding. The color is original and natural with rare yellow inclusions. There are no traces of dye in the recesses of the stone. There are clearly visible traces of primitive tool marks on the surface. The stone has been cleaned by hand; the fine ancient patina has been preserved. The holes are ancient, irregular, and funnel-shaped, with traces of wear. 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.Weight: 32.0 gDimensions: Length 7.4 cmLiterature comparison: Similar tiger talismans are published throughout Burmese Gemstone Amulets and Talismans Volume 1 (part of the series From the Collection of Dr. Zelnik), Budapest 2016.