An important long stock designed Ghurra with a hand carved on top, very fine condition , H 34 cm , more information on request

In Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon (Dzongkha), the time spent in embroidering textiles is considerable and can involve as much as a year for certain ceremonial textiles such as this one with a black background, called a "napsham". Surprisingly, the intricacy of the woven design elements that closely resemble embroidery is created on looms, mostly backstrap looms. This textile measures 97 x 243 cm including the fringes and is embroidered in cotton yarn on a raw silk ground...

This embroidered shirt panel is typical of the traditional embroidery of Kandahar ("khamak") in its limited range of colors and its depiction of geometric motifs of traditional Islamic art. Silk thread in extremely delicate satin stitch in counted-thread technique on a fine silk background which has been stitched to a cotton linen. It measures 38 x 43.5 cm and is dated to the early 20th century. Condition excellent, only two inconspicuous stains on one side.

Measuring 15.5 x 16 inches (39.4 x 40.6 cm), this textile from Kandahar, Afghanistan is embroidered in silk thread embroidery on a fine silk ground which is stitched onto a fine cotton linen panel. Depicting eight pointed star and rosette motifs in exquisitely fine satin stitching in counted-thread technique, the sheen of the silk is worked so that the light catches it in different settings, a characteristic feature of the embroidery ("khamak") of Kandahar...

This man's wedding shawl (known as "malir", or "doshalo") is from Tharparker district in Sindh province and would be a gift from a bride and her family to the groom for his wedding day attire. It is basically an embroidered "ajrak", meaning a red handspun, mordant-dyed, resist-printed cotton, embroidered in the four corners with stylized peacocks symbolizing fertility, and randomly placed mirrors ("shisha") as accents...

Embroidered in vivid pink on olive cotton, this purse from Swat valley is 50-60 years old and in excellent condition. Geometric patterns embroidered in straight stitching in pink floss silk are outlined in yellow and white double running stitch, with accents of purple and cream. The purse measures 18 x 19.5 cm.

This Tibetan wool sash measures 12.7 cm x 340.4 cm in length including the silky fringes. The tigma (cross) motif is an ancient good luck charm among Tibetans and here it is depicted in a discontinuous weft pattern design. These sashes are traditionally worn to secure the traditional Tibetan attire called a chuba. The high lustre of the wool is attributed to the high lanolin content of the goat wool in the high altitude regions of the Tibetan plateau...

A woven wool sash from Tibet, circa mid to late 20th century. Measuring 15.3 x 300 cm including the fringes, it is in overall good condition, but with some fraying. These sashes are used by Tibetans to tie their traditional attire (chuba for women, lokpa for men) and also to secure knives, bundles etc. Enlargement #6 shows the use of these sashes in traditional Tibetan nomadic culture (© 1995 East of Lo Manthang by Peter Matthiessen and Thomas Laird).

Measuring 8 x 116 inches (20.3 x 294.6 cm) including the braided fringes, this woven wool sash from Tibet is in excellent condition. The sash is a dark bergundy with indigo stripes and orange thread sewn along the edges to prevent fraying. Estimated age: mid to late 20th century...

This Tibetan woven wool sash from the mid to late 20th century measures 5½ x 104 inches (14 x 264.2 cm) including the braided fringes and is in excellent condition. These sashes are used by Tibetans to tie their traditional apron attire (chuba for women, lokpa for men) and also to secure knives, bundles etc. The luster of these wool belts is derived from the high lanolin content to be found in the hairs of high-altitude goats living in the Himalayan range from which these belts are woven...

This is a woman's shift known as a "jumlo" from the remote Indus Kohistan area of northern Pakistan. Jumlos are among the most lavishly embroidered textiles in all of Asia and are usually worn with an embroidered shawl known as a "chuprai". This tunic is embroidered in silk floss thread on black cotton in extremely fine half cross-stitch ("petit point") and the surface darning stitch for which Swati embroidery is famous...

This tobacco pouch ("kochor") from Indus Kohistan is embroidered in silk thread on cotton, with extremely fine cross- tent and satin-stitch, and white glass beaded tassels to adorn the edges. The bag measures 7" x 8" with the tassels. There is a string on the side of the bag which is used to hang the purse from the water pipe ("huqqa") while it is being smoked...

A hand-emboidered purse from Pakistan, measuring 19 cm x 21 cm. The embroidery technique is a combination of ladder stitch and satin stitch in silk on a black cotton ground. The purse is framed on all three sides by white glass bead tassels. Estimated age: late 20th century. Condition is excellent.

This Tibetan pipe was made and used for smoking hand rolled tobacco cigarettes only. The body of the pipe is antelope horn and according to the Tibetans, they stopped killing the antelope many years ago. Pipe is 8 inches long.

This little Hazara purse from Afghanistan was designed to hold kohl or some other small item. Embroidered in fine brick stitch in various colors of silk with the edges fringed with white glass beads, the purse measures 12 x 12 cm with the flap closed. It is in excellent condition, dating to the late 20th century.

Probably used once and then packed away for another generation, this vintage silk traditional sari from Varanasi is a vibrant as the day it was loomed. A small leaf pattern of gold metallic thread dots the entire length of the deep green silk field. There is a 2 inch brocaded border on each side which also runs the length of the sari. The end panel is ornately patterned brocaded silk and makes extensive use of gold metallic threads...

Small yab yum sculpture of Vajrabhairava and consort, the term yab yum translates as "father, mother" and refers to a male deity in sexual embrace with female consort, circa early 20th century. Size: 5 1/4" high

Tibetan Himalayan Hard Silver hand made Bangle Bracelet, 3/8" high, 2 1/2" x 2" wide, 1/2" wide for opening, relief design, and in good condition.

Natural oxidized wood H 60cm For more information please request.

Long stick model , H 35 cm For more information please request.

Flat model , H 29.5 cm For more information please request.

Unusual design, H 31 cm For more information please request.

encrusted patina , H 21 cm For more information please request.

Boudhhist phurba with Mahakala protectors on top and a very precisely carved Mahakara, presented on metal stand H 18 cm For more information please request.

A woman's shift ("kurta") from Swat in vivid pink silk embroidery with green and purple accents on a black cotton background. This kurta has exceptionally fine cross-stitch embroidery at the sleeves, suggesting a link with Indus Kohistan. Indeed, it is not uncommon for embroidered panels for dresses from Indus Kohistan to be found in the markets of Swat (see Nasreen Askari, Colours of the Indus, © 1997)...

This old patchwork quilt from Pakistan is known as a "rilhi" (from the Urdu word "ralanna", to mix or join). The embroidery is dense, mainly in buttonhole, satin and ladder stitch with some couching, and embellished with sequins, pompoms, mirrors and metallic thread. These quilts play a popular role in the outdoor festivals all over Sindh province that take place to commemorate the Sufi poets and saints ("urs")...

Depicting curling horned and star patterns, this wedding textile from the Hazara district of Pakistan, in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (formerly known as NWFP) is densely embroidered in silk floss thread on a black cotton ground. It measures 70 x 77.5 cm and is in excellent condition. The motifs are curvilinear and embroidered in dark red in a combination of satin stitch and long and short stitch, outlined with a top stitch of golden silk floss. Estimated age: late 20th century.

A pair of hand-carved window frames from Bhaktapur, an ancient Newar city in the Kathmandu Valley. They measure 44 x 45.5 cm and are dated to the late 20th century...

A king-sized cotton duvet cover from Nepal, measuring 111 x 74½" inches (43.7 x 29.3 cm) in purple, red and green. The viúvavajra ("crossed vajra") and chevron motifs are depicted in wool thread in chain stitch. Condition: Excellent. The vajra (meaning diamond or thunderbolt) is believed to represent firmness of spirit and spiritual power and is displayed in the national emblem of Bhutan.

Measuring 32.5 x 208 cm on black cotton, this woman's scarf from Hazara district in Pakistan is embroidered in satin stitch in floss silk thread. The curvilinear motifs are outlined with stitches of golden floss thread. The motifs are arranged into geometric compositions indicative of Central Asian influence. Condition is excellent and its estimated age is late 20th century.

This lady's shawl from the Hazara region in Pakistan measures 105 x 224 cm including the fringes. The geometric patterns are hand-embroidered in straight stitching in vivid pink floss-silk with touches of light pink, outlined in yellow double running stitch on a black wool ground. The shawl is dated to the late 20th century and is in perfect condition.

Some of the finest embroidery of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (formerly known as North West Frontier Province, or NWFP) comes from Swat Valley, known for its lush green mountains and turquoise colored rivers. The typical 'ram's horn' pattern seen in many parts of central Asian embroideries and carpets is reflected in this cushion cover from Swat. Satin stitch and darning stitch in floss-silk thread outlined in orange thread combine effectively to cover large surface areas of the textile and showcase the ...

The embroidery of Swat Valley is renowned for its dramatic colors stitched against a black background. This cushion cover from Mingora in Swat is in satin stitch in a deep purple with pink highlights. The embroidery is silk floss thread outlined with yellow outline stitching on a black cotton background. There is one small tear on one corner of the textile. It measures 41 x 41 cm and is dated to the mid or late 20th century.

This cushion cover from Hazara district features stylized floral patterns and curvilinear geometric motifs outlined with a top stitch of black thread on mustard-colored cotton. Touches of turquoise and shocking pink combine with rust-colored silk floss thread to create an overall design suggestive of central Asian influence. It measures 41 x 41 cm and is in excellent condition. Late 20th century.

This lovely cushion cover from Swat Valley is densely embroidered in mustard and salmon floss-silk thread in darning stitch on a black cotton ground. The motifs are typical of the embroidery of Swat and Hazara regions of Pakistan, geometric and curvilinear motifs outlined in yellow running stitch. The textile is in excellent condition and features a slit on the back for a pillow insert. It measures 38 x 38 cm. Estimated age: mid to late 20th century.

Embroidered in vivid turquoise silk floss with a top stitch of golden silk floss, this woman's shawl ("phulkari") from Swat Valley measures 97 cm x 198 cm and is in excellent condition. The designs are stylized rosettes with densely embroidered borders and a medallion motif in the center. Black is the dominant color for the background of Swati embroideries, which share many motifs in common with the embroidery from Hazara district. The unique motifs on this wedding shawl suggest Chinese influenc...