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

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)...

Rare early 20th century Yi minority lacquered box constructed from leather. I purchased this piece in a Bai minority, weekly market in Yunnan near Dali around 2002. I assume this is now an extinct craft no longer being done because of the availability of cheap plastic items as well as the migration of artisans to better paying jobs in the city. Very minor lacquer losses on the edge. Excellent condition. H: 5cm/2in

During the Qing Dynasty, hair combs like this were commonly used. The structure is bone and the tines are of wood. A few tines have gone missing with age and use. The comb is about 5 inches x 2 inches.

This antique Chinese hand carved wooden bobbin still has a length of home spun thread which winds around the middle. The bobbin shows extensive use, with some areas of paint and finish heavily patinated and other areas just worn away.

This old Chinese ethnic minority needle case is hand carved with geometric marking from end to end. Needle cases were essential tools for all indigenous cultures and frequently became important objects of decorated folk art.

These 3 bobbins aka thread holders would have been used in China when hand sewing was the major activity of the women of the house. Each bobbin was individually carved and each has a small ball which moves freely within the carved slot. Either individually or as a group, they are nice ethnographic artifacts of the Chinese culture during the Qing dynasty.

For centuries, before there was electricity, throughout Asia, Puppetry Arts were a popular form of traveling entertainment... A platform with a cloth screen, lit from the back by candlelight, provided the stage.... The shadow images were black against the white "background". Hence, the puppets had a minimum of color and only the necessary intricate cut outs for personality as they were sometimes presented to the audience with the "handlers" after a performance...

Carved from Rosewood, on one side, this Chinese toggle has a wooded scene with a horse and pair of deer. On the reverse side is the symbol for longevity. Toggle is 1.5 inches x 1.25 inches

Unusual Miao embroidered central panel, of a wedding apron costume. There is a coiled dragon in the center with two phoenixes above- surrounded with longevity characters, anthropomorphic and zoomorphic figures. It has a tattered calendered silk black border silk weft embroidered all the threads are handspun. The orange dye has bled into the white field some, so please see enlargements. H: 61.5cm/24.2in x D: 33cm/13in. Circa early-mid 20th century

This antique pair of wooden spoons were hand carved and delicately shaped. The handles are deeply arched and the ends are painted with a gilded paint. They were heavily covered with a clear lacquer finish.

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.

Chinese dome top woven Bamboo Basket on attached high stand, Ca. before 1900, 11 1/2" high, 11" diameter top rim with brass hinged round dome top. Two(2) Brass handles on the both sides and Brass lock compartment in front. Two(2) brass rings hold the top and bottom together. Low relief Chinese floral design on the lacquered gesso panels on the high foot. Gesso applied on the cloth finish, and glued together inside the top rim area...

Personal care items with long handles to reach the back...the brush is carved from wood and the back scratcher is carved from bamboo...roughly 22 23 inches long...

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.

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.

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.

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 antique lidded container was made for jewelry or other small household items. Obviously hand made, probably by the original owner, it does have a few surface nicks from age and use. With a 5 inch diameter and standing approx 4 inches high, it is a charming artifact of Chinese folk art.

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.....

Lovely Chinese basket most likely woven by the Zhuang or another of the many ethnic minorities in Guangxi Zhuang, China where I bought this over 20 years ago. This woven from split reed stalks and has a nice soft feel to it. This piece is quite old, 50 to 100 years (best guess). It has an unusual trapezoidal/oval shape and I like it for its sturdy simplicity. Minor unraveling of some of the weaves here and there but in very good condition given it age...

Brass pipe tool in the shape of a fish with double function : cleaning the pipe’s bowl and cutting the tobacco leaves with the folding blade.
Very old, beautiful patina and wear ; L. folded: 6,5c

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)

Very unusual wood toggle depicting yin-yang and bagua symbols ; chips on some edges. D: 4 cms

Chinese woven Lacquered Reed Hat Box with lacquer decorated wide wooden band, with metal hinges, 12" high, 17" diameter, round dome top and bottom. Lacquered and painted design of Chinese lady carrying Lantern, and floral lacquer design on the wide wooden band. Metal hinges in front and back are somewhat loose and few metal buttons are missing. There are some normal wear and tear.

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.

These antique Razors were brought back from China by the Baptist Missionary Rebecca Cloud Stewart. The blades are rusty but they are still sharp. One has a wood handle and the other has a horn handle.

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)

Old embroidered jacket panel from the Miao/Dong ethnic group Southwest China. See image for condition and size. Free Shipping

Old embroidered jacket panel from the Miao/Dong ethnic group Southwest China. See image for condition and size, with abstract phoenix and floral scroll. Free Shipping

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)

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.

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)

Huangyangmu (rosewood) toggle of a very simple drum with a kind of ball moving inside.
Beautiful patina, good condition with cracks (see pix). L: 4 cms. 19th C. TCT 132 (see Bibliography)

A round leather storage box possibly for the safe keeping of a hat, ornament, or item of dress. The box measures about 7 1/4" in diameter x 2 1/2" tall, and dates to the 19th Century. The box's dark lacquer finish and hardware are in excellent condition, both inside and outside. A fine example of Chinese Folk Art. Free shipping within the USA.

Very old wood toggle of a pair of shoes ; L: 4cms, TCT 84 (see Bibliography)