Big huangyangmu (rosewood) pipe ornament of a monkey riding a guardian lion, standing on a drum-like base; promotion and protection symbol. Carving all around the base.
Very good condition and beautiful patina; a tiny chip on the lower jaw and a tiny chip and a slight crack on the base, no moving seeds (see pix 4, 5, 6); no left foot: missing or not carved? Qing, 19 th C. H: 6 cms

Brass toggle of a male baby wearing an apron and holding an ingot.
Symbol of fertility and wealth, and expression of the desire for a male descendant. Very appreciated wedding present.
Excellent craftsmanship, beautiful patina, perfect condition (see pix). H: 4,5 cms.19th C. or before. TCT 245 (see Bibliography)

Big "Bianlian" Nuo mask of Tudi Gong, the "God of soil" and grains, essential in an agrarian country. He is the main actor in Wunuo cult, usually represented with a smiling face, and long eyebrows and beard often missing or replaced later; when missing, we can see holes where the hair was fastened.
Bianlian means face changing: this mask has an articulated jaw which could be animated by the wearer...

Brass toggle of a horse; excellent and vivid craftsmanship.
Beautiful patina, perfect condition (see pix). 19th C. or before. L: 5 cms. TCT 244 (see Bibliography)

Huangyangmu (rosewood) toggle of a very elegant pair of shoes. Symbol of marital compatibility and fertility.
Good condition, beautiful patina. L: 4 cms. 19th C.TCT 84 (see Bibliography)

Chinese Bridal red lacquered on woven bamboo hanging wall container/pocket with bamboo frame, 7" high, 7" wide, 3 1/4" deep, in good condition, no major damages, just shows little wear and tear from the age. This is very charming wall decoration for any home.

Chinese red lacquered on wood Bridal Oil Lamp stand with three(3) dimensional carving of pair of deer surrounded by pine trees on pedestal, Ca early 1900's, 13 3/4" high, 7 3/4" wide in front-widest measurement, 5 3/4" deep. Round old metal ring is attached for holding dish for oil. Red lacquer is worn on some area with usage but overall it is in good condition.

Big "Tunkou" of Kaishan, he who "Opens the mountain", clears it; God of mountains with a terrifying face (horns, fangs) who leads the procession during the ceremony organised for the clearing of a new field or building of a new rice field; his fierce face is intended to repulse the bad spirits (and the dangerous wild animals?).
Tunkou or "Mouth who swallows" the demons, the bad spirits; terrifying mask for hanging on the Nuo temple's door or above the main altar...

Nuo mask of Tang Shi Tai Po, venerable Tang lady, the Guardian of the peach tree (the peach of immortality); identifiable because she has the" fat face" of the Tang court ladies; backside scratched (for ritual purpose ?); 22x14 cms, end of 19th C. Hunan. (see bibliography)

Very old Nuo mask of Bao Gong, Judge Bao, wearing his characteristic and beautiful hat with a kind of knot. Judge Bao is an historical character who lived during the Song dynasty and became the model of justice and integrity...

Nuo mask of the Fish Eater; extremely rare character; good condition; remnants of pigments, backside scratched (for ritual purpose ?). 26x14 cms. 19th C (see bibliography)

Nuo mask of Kaishan, He who "Opens the mountain", clears it; God of mountains with a terrifying face (horns, fangs) who leads the procession during the ceremony organised for the clearing of a new field or building of a new rice field; his fierce face is intended to repulse the bad spirits (and the dangerous wild animals?).
Very old and heavy hardwood mask; 2 fangs and 2 growing horns, tongue, big bulging eyes and big nose; traces of old pigments, very good condition (1 crack on the back...

Big and rare golden protection mask of Da Jiangjun, the" Great General", for hanging usually near the door, for protection against evils or bad spirits.
Rare representation with a very elaborate headdress (upper part missing); remnants of old pigments; ancient indigenous restoration on both sides (see photos). 31x20 cms. Jiangxi, 18th or 17th C, Ming? RM 181,184,189; MC 184 (see bibliography)

Hardwood Nuo mask, big and heavy, representing an unidentified character with a very serene expression. Coat of red lacquering on plaster, long gone around mouth and nose (the red color is generally used to indicate courage, loyalty and devotion).
Very good condition (a few little chips on the back along the edge), very nice inside patina; 26x17 cms. Beginning of 19th C, Hunan. (see bibliography)

Nuo masks of Tudi Gong and 2 Xiaopo. 2 Xiaopo: small masks for children. Very humorous set of 3, beautiful craftsmanship and nice backside patina.
Tudigong: the "God of soil" and grains, essential in an agrarian country. He is the main actor in Wunuo cult, usually represented with a smiling face, and long eyebrows and beard often missing or replaced later; when missing, we can see holes where the hair was fastened. Chinese character for "happiness" on the cap...

Chinese antique bamboo sewing basket, interior design with character "Xi" and exterior with " Fu", Qing Dynasty . Size: Diameter of the basket is 13.25 inches and it stands 4 inches high, in very good condition.

almost 11 cm tall Ears and head of monkey, stance and back and paws of lion, face of man. Is the only hole the one through the legs? Strange piece. The eyes are made of brass nails the nose and mouth of brass wire wooden and early in its life was lacquered--it seems to have vestiges of lacquer on it

Antique Chinese tall wardrobe cabinet, made all of jumu (elm) wood with very beautiful grain, middle bar has been attached to door so that the cabinet opens with clear access to interior, inside has one shelf with two small drawers of jumu wood finished on the front to match the exterior of cabinet, bottom has one large drop in panel that locks with key, 19th century. Size: 78 1/2" high x 42 3/4" wide x 21" deep.

This antique iron candle holder was sourced from Shanxi province China. From a peasants home, it could be set on a table or hung on a wall. It is an interesting ethnographic folk art relic.

Chinese carved Foo Lion on each corner and red and brown lacquer on Wood Display Stand, "X" cross shape folding, made early 1900's, 10" high, 16" wide-maximum measurement, 11" wide-for display area inside the high rim. One piece of wooden stick is holding the two(2) pieces of wood together loosely in the center to able to fold or open any angle needed for the items to display. There are some lacquer loses on wood, showing wear and tear, no major damage.

According to traditional Chinese culture, shoes were considered to be a symbol of good luck, and shoes and a gift of token shoes would have been given as a sign of well wishing.

This tiny pair of wooden shoes are meticulously carved, with pierced work on both sides and the soles of each shoe...scarcely 2 inches long...excellant condition

This small Mongolian hunters flint strike pouch still has flint stone inside. Also know as strike-a-light in American Indian cultures, this hunters folk art implement has bronze tooled fittings. Well aged and in excellent condition...measures 4 inches across the widest part of the striker plate

Attractive antique Chinese hand made Wedding Basket with stacked compartments. Good condition. Black, red and gold finish. Size: H. 42 cm. x 30 cm. diameter

The metal bowl of this traditional old bronze Chinese spoon is heavily patinated from extensive use and was probably used for heating maybe opium.

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

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...

This antique Chinese small wooden tobacco container would have been looped on a belt. It is probably ethnic minority, and hand carved by its intended user. Such folk art artifacts are now rare and hard to find on the market.

Measures 3 inches tall, and comes with original hand twisted cord, and is in very good condition

This old Chinese hand made carpenters tool would have been used as a snapline just as the western metal chalk box and line are used today. Such tools were often hand made and passed from father to son for generations. This particular one has a small antler for a plumbob.

This pair of traditional short boots were made and worn by the Miao women of Anshun. They are in very good condition but the upper boot areas have some soiling and the soles show signs of wear.

This antique childs toy was brought back from Chinese by an American Missionary during the early 19th century. The snake or possibly a dragon has jointed body which can easily be moved to assume different positions. Obviously hand carved in the Chinese folk art tradition, this toy is in excellant condition. It displays nicely on the custom made stand.

This Chinese wood carving from the Qing Dynasty portrays a seated nobleman. The surface is covered with remains of the original multi layers of lacquer paint. There are no marks on the bottom. Hand carved and only 4 inches high this is a charming piece of old folk art, an artifact from the glory days of old China.

This large Tea Caddy is made from a hollow Bamboo section. The cannister lid fits tightly in order to keep the tea fresh. This style caddy would have been used by a Chinese family of modest circumstances during the Qing Dynasty.

Great patina, darkened with age...a handsome piece that stands 10 inches high and 4 inches in diameter.

This is one of 4 small individual antique Chinese carvings which I am listing separately. I had always assumed them to be 4 of the eight immortals but upon close inspection, I am now not sure which gods, ancestors or legends they represent. Each character stands with its own faithful foo type dog and carries an implement of some kind. Each has a peg on the bottom which fits into the own homemade stand.

This character stands 5.75 inches x 3 inches wide and 1 inch thick...

This antique cast iron 2 piece censer retains much of its original red paint. The inside bottom of the censor bowl is somewhat pitted from use. The chop marks are unrecogizable. The piece is 10 inches in diameter and 2.5 inches high.

This antique Chinese lock has a nicely patinated surface and is is working order. Measures 3.8 inches across.

22 inches long and a century of hard use but the tip is clean and sharp. I suspect a skilled carpenter could still use this old Chinese drill to build a cabinet or post and beam house. Personally, I am so thankful for electrical tools.