In China, older age was/is respected and valued... During the late Qing Dynasty, many wealthier Chinese used eyeglasses to appear older...sometimes clear glass lenses were used for those with good eyesight Personally, I never colored my hair before traveling to China.... This eyeglass case was carved from water buffalo horn...It has the original hand twisted string and a small movable stop.... and a few minor scratches from use and age

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 small Chinese inro style container would have been worn suspended from the wearer's belt. It was hand carved from wood and detailed on each side with delicate decorative carvings of birds, flowers and a phoenix.

The piece is 2.5 inches high and 2 inches at the widest point. Because of its small size and shape, it was most likely used as an opium container. The inside has been carefully cleaned to avoid dog encounters at the airports.

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...

Substantial sized Chinese late Qing dynasty Guangxu period tobacco pipe with bamboo stem, horn (probably ox-horn) mouth piece, and baitong (paktong, or white brass) bowl and shank. The pipe measures 23” (61cm) in length and the bamboo stem is about 1” (2 to 2 ½cm) wide. Late 19th to early 20th century. Clearly well used but in very good overall condition. There is a small crack in the mouth piece (see enlargement 3)...

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)

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...

Carved from a single block of hardwood, this Chinese drum has great patina aged surfaces. An old folk art instrument, it shows the wear of use during many musical performances at chinese operas and street festivals. When "beaten" with its accompanying drum stick, it has a deep attractive sound.

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.

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 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

Chinese heavy carved Stone Slab with Rabbit carving on one side and Floral branch on the other side, Ca. 19th C. 12 1/2" high, 14 1/2" wide, 5 1/2" deep on bottom plat form section. Nicely aged old look, the condition is good, no major damages.

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.

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.....

Found in a tomb, the pipe having been buried with its owner. Oxidised baitong (the bamboo stem has decayed), beautiful bowl . L : 18c H : 8c

Huangyangmu (rosewood) pipe ornament of a Foo Dog with a moving ball in its mouth.
Rare representation, perfect condition, beautiful patina ; H : 4,5 cms

This plain pot metal vessel was used to contain hair oil during the reign of Chinese Emperor Daoquang about 1850. Standing about 6 inches high and 3.5 inches diameter at the widest point, a woman would dip her comb into the oil before combing her hair. I do have an identical matched pair of these but am selling them separately.

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