This traditional old Tibetan carved woodblock was used to print the "vast luck" pattern on Buddhist prayer flags. There is a double dorje in the center where it is written "May the holder of this charm be given the gift of eternal life." The corners are carved with the 4 animals: the garuda, the peacock, the elephant, and the wind horse and the mantras to protect and increase life, health, wealth and good fortune. The Eight Auspicious Symbols are also depicted and around the ...click for details
This antique copper reposse gau houses a picture instead of a clay tsa tsa which was common for a family gau. when the family could afford to do so, the picture would be replaced by a clay tsatsa. Curiously, this gau also houses 2 amulets, which were typically provided by a monk. The paper is very old and I am told it is bad Karma to unfold the amulet.
The Tibetan Buddhists used the gau as a prayer shrine usually pl ...click for details
This antique copper gau would have been kept in a prayer niche in the home and would be worn as an ornament for festival.
In place of the Tsatsa (clay figure), there is a Tsakli. It was common practice to use a tsakli (small picture card) to represent the religious item which would be placed in the gau, when time and money became available. The original written talisman remains inside the gau also.
This small sitting Buddha dates to the 16th century...The cast metal is somewhat deteriorated as would be expected. The names and borders of the countries of southeast Asia have changed and moved over the centuries which makes naming specific country of origin somewhat difficult....Thailand,Burma,Siam...
This is a wonderful artifact of Southeast Asian religious culture. 4 inches tall...
This Buddhist figure was cast in bronze and sewn into a leather case. It would have been carried in a pocket or worn hanging about the neck by the leather thong...a personal amulet or talisman meant for protection. Good condition, 4 the case in 4 inches high and 3 inches across at the widest point.
This antique Tibetan purse would have been used as a costume ornament during festival. It is decorated with silver and bronze fittings and coral and turquoise stones. Passed from generation to generation, and used extensively, this piece shows it age. Such purses would have held precious coins and the occasional flint but would not be considered as a Tibetan "strike a light" because of the lack of the striker plate.
This traditional small leather purse would have been used as an ornament and hung from a belt by a Tibetan woman during festival. It is heavily decorated with silver metal, turquoise and coral beads. This is an old one and is in excellent condition.
Old Chinese hand carved wooden mask depicting legendary king of old China. Face was gessoed and polychrome painted. 15 inches x 14 inches wide and 6 inches deep. some areas of chipped and worn paint consistent with age
Finely carved and once elaborately painted, this antique figure was probably from a small shrine. Clearly used and handled over the years, piece still has some areas of original paint. Some residual of an inked signature on bottom. carving may be of a monk or other religious figure. Stands about 2 inches high.
This small strand of Buddhist prayer beads would have been kept in a pocket or looped on a belt. Bought in China from a Tibetan, the strand of tiny dark beads is broken up with coral beads to assist in counting. The 3 fabric triangles, from departed monks robes, are amulets containing various protective prayers. When used for ritual prayers, the fabric talisman would be held in the closed fist while the fingers count the beads. An Ancestors tooth, not bone, hangs from one of the talismans to ...click for details
This pair of antique Miao boots were made by a young woman from Song Tao to be worn for festivals. The thick sole has iron hob nails to make walking easier on the hills and terraces. The vamp is made from cotton fabric and is heavily embroidered with cottton thread using satin and chain stitch techniques. The upper part of the boot is also made of cotton fabric.
This very old short strand of Tibetan prayer beads has its original leather thongs with silver counters. There is one crudely faceted cornelian bead (very unusual) with is used as a spacer. The other spacer beads are agate. A combination of coral and bone are also used.
This Tibetan prayer bead necklace is made from hand-carved chank shell beads. The chank, a particular form of Conch, is sometimes called Sacred Chank because of its importance to both Hindus and Buddhists. Beads carved from the chank shell were worn mostly by the Buddhist nuns of Tibet
This antique prayer bead necklace is roughly 30 inches in length and the guru bead is carved from bone.
The Tibetan leather flint pouch (aka strike a light) is properly known as a "mechag" (me = fire , chag = iron) or fire iron. This Tibetan flint pouch is decorated with ornate silver and bronze ornamentation with an inset coral bead. The pouch would have been secured to the wears belt with a leather strap. The size and ornateness of this pouch indicates that it would have been worn as costume decoration during festival. ...click for details
This antique chinese hat would have been worn for festival by a Yi ethnic minority girl (woman) from the Honghe area. Worn for festival, the "cockssome cap" is elaborately decorated with faceted silver beads. Enlargement 5 shows cock hat as it would be worn. Hat comes with its own custom made stand.
