This traditional tribal comb would be worn for festival by Yao ethnic minority woman of Southern China. The comb was carved from sections of bone which are held together with a twining technique. The bone sections are tatooed with traditional Yao design pattern. The comb alone is 5.5 inches long and 3 inches wide. The combined length with the pompom and tassels is almost 12 inches long.

DESCRIPTION: This wonderful Chinese bamboo basket is one of the nicest we've ever offered. Pleasing in form and expertly handcrafted, the entire basket is tightly woven from bamboo strips in various sizes, forming a pleasing design. Chinese characters are found inside the removable, cone-shaped lid. Three long bent bamboo strips form the handle. Very attractive and in excellent condition. DIMENSIONS: 24" high including handle (61 cm) x 18" diameter (45.7 cm).

This old relic field marker was dug up by a friends father while doing archaeological research (i.e. digging up fields) in China years ago. For centuries, during planting,such markers were commonly buried in the fields as a talisman for a bountiful harvest. It is made of clay, high fired stoneware, and has a few chips missing...as to be expected after being buried in a field.....

Huangyangmu (rosewood) toggle of a ringed bottle gourd with a stopper, representing the gourd of Li Tieguai, one of the Eight Immortals, containing the magic potion. Symbol of longevity and protection.
Beautiful patina, very good condition, 2 small chips on the edges (see pix 2, 3, 5). H: 5 cms. TCT 94 (see Bibliography)

Huangyangmu (rosewood) toggle of a bat (bianfu) eating the peach of immortality. Symbol of happiness and longevity.
The bat has one wing folded. Beautiful patina, very good condition. L: 5,5 cms. TCT 119 ( see Bibliography)

Very special huangyangmu (rosewood) two sided toggle representing a frog on one side and a headless human body on the other. Fertility symbol.
Beautiful patina, perfect condition. L: 3,5 cms. TCT 124 (see Bibliography)

Antique Miao comb made of wood and silver. Flowers, birds and dragons designs. The ring on top was used to secure the comb in the hair, with a chain by instance.
Magnificent patina with expected wear, one tooth partially broken (see pix). 19th C. or before. H: 10 cms, w: 8 cms.

DESCRIPTION: A fine, large Chinese boxwood toggle in the shape of a Chinese coin with four script characters on each side surrounding the square hole. Around the edge, various plant and animal forms are carved in high relief, including a flower, bird, squirrel and bat. The suspension cord, connecting it to an object such as a tobacco pouch, would have been strung through the openings under the bat's wings. Wonderful patina, excellent condition, and dating from the 1800's or earlier...

Chinese Glass Mandarin Hat Finial converted to lamp Finial, wrapped around with silver and gold color leafy shape band which is all original but bottom piece is soldiered to brass lamp adapter. The clear glass knob is 1 1/4" diameter.

Antique hand-carved wooden half mask of some sort of god or deity, with recognizable features of a deity such as the elongated earlobes, and winglike hair and eyebrows. Has small traces of red lacquer, and above its lips are remains of where many bunches of hair would once have been, missing due to antiquity. Visible chisel marks are apparent inside. 18th/19th century Size: 11" height, 7" width

Chinese wooden hand carved mask of a smiling man, its jaw left open so that the wearer had an easier time speaking. Features of the mask include red lacquer lips, black lacquer eyebrows, nice carved details such as the teeth, nostrils, wrinkled forehead and hair. 18th/19th century Size: 6.75" height, 4.75" width

Chinese carved Ivory Toggle, Lotus Seeds carved out of the solid Ivory tip, Ca. 1800's, 1 1/2" high, 1 1/4" x 1 1/8" wide, with some naturally aged small hairline, beautifully aged old patina over well carved and polished surface, the details is very fine. The condition is good.

Chinese carved Ivory old scholar Toggle, with gentle happy smile in his face, Ca. 1800's, 3 1/8" high, 1 3/8" x 1 1/4" wide, nicely naturally aged with hairline and old patina. The condition is good.

This pair of matching fans came from an old wealthy collectors estate..along with several others. This pair is in pristine condition with dark wood handles (possible zitan wood) and fan section is basket type weave of unknown plant fiber, the silk tassels have gold bindings...

Old shagreen glasses case with copper protective decoration.
Very good condition, usual wear and tear (see pix), beautiful copper decoration. L: 17 cms

Old Chinese boxwood compass (luopan, zhinanzhe) used for fengshui (geomancy); covered with beautiful Chinese characters and symbols; beautiful patina with usual wear and tear, L: 9,5 cms, W: 4,5 cms.
It works fine; don't forget that in China, the red pointer indicates the South.

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.
Very nice carving and polychromy, beautiful inside patina, very good condition.
These masks among others often used, were recoloured regularly; 22 x 12 cms; end of 19th C. Hunan...

This traditional Chinese antique tea container was made from bamboo. The outside has a carved rib design. This tea caddy would have been used regularly by family and friends during the Qing dynasty. Some minimal loss of finished surface on top ...to be expected with age and use...9.5 inches high