This pair of bookends was carved by the Igorots on the northern part of the Island of Luzon in the Philippines sometime in the 1950's. Each bookend depicts a tribesman cautiously peering over his shield at the tribesman on the other side. From the position and shape of the right arm and hands, it is likely that each native was originally holding a spear. A very dense black wood was used to create these sculptures
This small hand carved wooden container would have been used to store smoking tobacco, and would have been worn hanging from a belt the same as a Japanese enro. Although similar types of containers would have used by both traditional Han Chinese and ethnic minority Chinese, this particular container is definately traditional Han Chinese. One side has a carved scene of a bird and branch, the other side has written characters. The top slides up the hand twisted string cord to reveal the hollowe ...click for details
This wonderful older detailed carving of a bear with a fish in his mouth is from the Ainu people of Japan. The fish appears to be a pacific salmon and is carved from a contrasting wood which heightens the realistic feel of the sculpture.
This piece is in excellant condition and measures 9 inches long,5 inches high, and 5 inches deep. He weights 3 lbs
This Chinese Door of Hope doll, along with several others, was brought back to the US during the 1920's by the American Baptist Missionary, Rebecca Cloud-Stewart. On one of her many trips back to the US to visit family and friends, she brought the collection of dolls as samples to sell and raise money for the Door of Hope orphanage. After many years in China, Miss Stewart returned permanently to her home in Georgia. During the 1940's and 50's, she would often go to the local schools, ...click for details
In old China, a carpenter's tools were also considered as an symbol of the quality of his craftsmanship. This antique carpenter's tool has a hand carved dragon with some of the original paint remaining in the crevasses. The plumb bob is made from a section of animal antler. The old Chinese carpenter would fill the bowl with charcoal and it would be used to snap a straight line.
This old Chinese container would have been used by a poor farmer or fisherman to carry his lunch, and tea while he was off working for the day. The main container has 2 sections and there is an additional rimmed tray which fits just inside below the tightly fitted lid. All 3 pieces are made from very tightly woven from 2 different types of plant materials.
Roughly 9 inches x 9 inches x 4 inches, with a richly patin ...click for details
This antique lamp was sourced from an old Buddhist Temple in Mongolia. It would have been used as a light source, commonly using fat but also occasionally using oil for fuel. The surfaces are rusted and corroded from centuries of use and weather, which gives the piece character and shows it to be an ethnographic artifact of cultures past and passing.
This large puppet head dates from the mid 1800's and represents Sun Wu Kong, the "monkey king" who is a beloved character of Chinese folklore. The head is carved from wood, gessoed and painted. It is 12 inches long and retains almost all of the original paint.
The folk tales of Sun Wukong were collected in the 16th-century novel "Journey to the West" by Wu Cheng'en, and his adventures a ...click for details
Carved from Rosewood, on one side, this Chinese toggle has a wooded scene with a horse and pair of deer. On the reverse side is the symbol for longevity. Toggle is 1.5 inches x 1.25 inches
Both sides of this antique Chinese pomander have matching pierced carvings of swirling fauna with a butterfly. By sliding the matching jade bead up, the two pieces of the pomander can easily be separated enough to slip a perfume soaked cloth inside. Occasionally worn around a woman's neck, pomanders were also hung in a room add a pleasing scent.
The pomander alone is 2.5 inches across at the widest point, 2 inches ...click for details
This face-sized antique mask of a shaman or Buddhist priest is from Tibet. The hand carving is both delicate and simple, with chisel marks showing on the back of the mask.
All along the four edges of this bone toggle, there is a carved circular pattern design. This pattern is very similiar to a Yao Ethnic Minority pattern and would be unusual in a Han piece.
The last picture enlargement shows how the toggle would have been used to secure the cords of a hat. The bead would be moved up the cords so that the toggle would be tight under the chin. This system would hold the hat on the head ...click for details
This shell necklace is an ornament from one of the indigenous tribal groups from West Papua New Guinea. Shells were often used as both adornment and currency with these groups. The string/rope is handmade from a plant fiber. As with many items from the tribal groups of New Guinea, it is difficult to put an age on this piece. It is an interesting ethnographic artifact and can be used for display and can also be worn as a necklace. It came from an estate collection with no additional informat ...click for details
This old Chinese ceramic pipe bowl (smoke chamber) would have been placed onto the smoking pipe to allow for a small piece of opium to be smoked. The tiny opening at the top would allow the smoke to be drawn into the stoneware chamber and cooled before being inhaled by the smoker.
A traditional Chinese keyed stamped design surrounds the top and a repeated incised design marks the side of the bowl. It comes with the m ...click for details
This old Chinese ceramic pipe bowl (smoke chamber) would have been placed onto the smoking pipe to allow for a small piece of opium to be smoked. The tiny opening at the top would allow the smoke to be drawn into the stoneware chamber and cooled before being inhaled by the smoker.
This glazed stoneware bowl has delicate slip line design which accentuates its large shallow shape. The bottom of the bowl has incised and ...click for details
