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

Asian buffalo Horn with Silver over copper mounts with turquoise stones... This type of drinking horn was a common household item used throughout Mongolia...each family member had his (or her) own drinking horn and they were kept on a wooden rack which was made for that purpose... Condition 2 beads missing...silver is worn through in several area,exposing copper base...which is commensurate with normal use and aging

Very beautiful and delicate antique lacquered mask of Xienfang Xiaojie, Miss Vanguard, wearing her characteristic phoenix headdress ; very expressive handwork, remnants of original marouflage.
Due to its quality and sophistication, this mask is probably a rare « court » nuo mask which belonged to the same set as M-T1Q. Very good condition, some lacquer missing (see pix). 24 x 16 cms. 19th C or before. RM 93,145,163; MC 122-125 (see bibliography)

Very big and beautiful antique lacquered 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...

Nuo mask of Kailu, "Open the path", god with a terrifying face (horns, fangs) who leads the funerary procession; his fierce face is intended to repulse the bad spirits (and the dangerous wild animals?).
Very rare big portrayal of Kailu with very big eyes and mouth, the only one of this kind i ever saw; 3 growing horns, big eyes and mouth, 2 fangs; ancient polychromia, nice patina...

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

This rare antique bag was made and used by the Yi ethnic minority... It was made from hand corded plant fiber,tied into a series of knots to form a shallow sack. Originally there would have been a fabric shoulder strap which would have been tied around the loops on either side of the top of the bag... The front of the bag is decorated with a traditional silver ornament depicting a butterfly. The bag is in tact: no holes, or rips but is dirty from use and age....

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

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

This is an antique Chinese set of carved bone dominoes, complete with dice and original wooden box. Carved by hand sometime in the Qing dynasty, the 32 dominos vary abit in shape, size and thickness and the bone dice are a bit off cube.

The box is just under 5 inches x 2.5 inches x 1.5 inches.

These early Qing dynasty cups were carved from coconut shell, and lined with metal which was originally coated with silver. The Chinese believed that silver would tarnish when in contact with poison. Many wealthy Chinese liked to use silver lined cups and chopsticks tipped with silver fittings was an assurance against poisoning...

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.

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 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 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 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.

Beautifully carved powder horn from Chinese Miao ethnic minority over 90 years old from Guizhou Province. The underside of the horn is full of old writing. Unfortunately, no one can read the old writing. Around the turn of the century the forests around the Miao villages were full of game and the men would frequently hunt for game to provide family meals. Unfortunately, most of the game has diminished and many of the hunting skills are forgotten.

An artifact of past Chinese Culture, this old Abacus has hand made beads of what appears to be clay, specifically stoneware. The frame is a dark hardwood, probably walnut. It is approx 5 long.