The peacock is a very common motif in Islamic art.

 The folk origin of the bronze would be supported by the careless, primitive workmanship of the sculpture and the quality of the casting.

I believe that the vase was made in Egypt at a time when its modern statehood was emerging. Awareness of its own national identity meant that art during this period referred to one of the greatest periods of Islamic artistic creativity, the "Mamluk Renaissance."

The sculpture of Mizaru, which is the name of the monkey covering its eyes, is made of stone, probably a type of quartzite. It is heavy, and its grainy structure is clearly visible.

He is worshipped in various forms throughout Asia, and his character is embodied in folk culture and even in contemporary pop culture. This depiction of Hanuman, which differs somewhat from traditional iconography, probably originates from folk beliefs.

 The lamp is simple, "poor," with an exposed reservoir and no distinct wick socket. There are far fewer of these lamps on sale.

I find the shape of the vessel somewhat troubling. It is unusual for Chinese art, more reminiscent of European aesthetics. And I must admit that I have not found anything identical in shape while browsing through hundreds of Chinese vases, vessels, and platters. The openwork wall is also not typical for China.

So, I leave the final decision about the origin of the jardinière to the buyer, adding that I personally find its European pedigree most convincing.

We all agree on one thing. The object was created at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. Antique dealers from Shangrilii even precisely determined its date of origin to be 1900.

I liked its austerity, the simplicity of the ornament, the contrast between the massive silhouette and the lightness of the tail made of thin brass sheet. I also like the predatory expression of the head of this dignified bird. That was enough for me to become the owner of the sculpture.

As for these particular weights, they come from different sets. I came across them in Paris and had the privilege of choosing from a really large collection. I am convinced that they are old, even from the 18th century.

Kali is a dark-skinned beautiful woman, dressed in tiger fur, multi-armed, and each of her armed hands can kill demons. A distinctive feature of Kali sculptures is a necklace made of skulls or heads of defeated enemies.

The figure probably represents an ancestor who is supposed to act as a guardian, a guard defending the protected area against evil forces. In this case, it is probably a household, and rather a wealthy one at that.