Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art (482)

This Antique leather Tuareg belt is from the African region of Timbuktu, Mali. The total length of the belt including the fringe is roughly 46 inches. The 2 leather talisman or amulets are flat and they loosely loop around the belt so their position can be re arranged. They were sewn shut, protecting the contents. Because of their inaccessibility...it is not possible to know if the contents are amulets or talisman. They measure roughly 3 inches x 2.5.....

The Chinese people smoked both opium (thanks to the British) and tobacco. This antique pipe was made and used by the ethnic minority of the mountain region of SW China.

Spectacles were only affordable for the very wealthy in China during the 1800's. The lenses were ground from crystal of various shades. Because of the cost, if a lens or frames were broken the remaining pieces would be refitted into a replacement set...as happened with this pair of antique Chinese eyeglasses. The vestiges of the original fitting remain on the left lens.

Suspended from a small leather belt loop, this old Mongolian pipe pouch has trekked a long way. This ethnographic relic was clearly hand-made, with a simple closure of leather thongs tied into a traditional knot, and a few beads add a decorative element. For pipe cleaning, there is added piece of twisted metal wire decorated with green thread. Approx 12" long and about 3" at the widest point. It is a relic from a nomadic ethnic culture and its condition.....

The doodoo was an element of Chinese woman's costume which was worn covering the chest. This one has a money pocket ant is in pristine condition. With silk embroidered flower decoration on a satin weave cotton background fabric. The back is a simple piece of somspun indigo dyed fabric

Leather products were rare and expensive during the Qing Dynasty in China. Fans were in common usage and a quality fan would have required a proper protective case. A wealthy woman could have afforded this suede fan case and would have considered it as the acceptable accessory to properly detail her finery.

The case is 9+ inches long with silk cord for drawstrings, elaborately knotted and tasseled.

Made from ox horn, and shaped into a perfectly balanced shoehorn, this antique Chinese folk art artifact serves in both form and function. There is a delicately carved design on the back. The handle part of the horn has eyes carved so that the piece takes the shape of an animal and there is a hole carved so that the shoehorn can be hung from a cord. I vaguely remember hearing that the Chinese inventing the shoehorn, but have not been able to verify this as historic fact.

This unusual small triangular shaped snuff bottle 2 of the 3 sides of the piece have carefully repouse Tibetan symbols..no makers marks...a few tiny dents ...no loss. It was brought back from Tibet by a man who went on a long walkabout from Istanbul to Tibet back in the late 60's...China was not open at the time...and Tibet ..he traveled with a backpack,limited space,few small momentoes and he was picky...old pieces only... bottle is approx 1.75 inches high

Beautifully patterned horn chop with its horn seal box. The remenants of red ink indicate that this seal was used for official documents. The box has a slide top which closes tightly.

This long handled basket is out of Shanxi Province. There are the remnants of the original woven rattan "ring" on the handle which allowed the basket to be hung from a hook on the ceiling rafters...safe from rodents... Inside the rim of The outer basket, there is a smaller basket which allows for a separate food storage area... 25 inches tall and 10 inches wide at the bottom

These antique iron stirrups probably belonged to a low level horse soldier of the Chinese army during the Qing dynasty. They are well patinated.

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...

This is a charming traditional Chinese child's "wind hat" so called because of the protection the hat gives to the back of the neck. The silk threads of the satin stitched embroidery depict lots of flowers and butterflies. Hat is in good condition

This small Chinese hand made purse would have been made by a woman for her personal use or possibly as a gift to a female friend. It was made using cotton background fabric and hand embroidered with silk thread on each side. The butterfly and floral motifs were made with silk thread using a combination of satin stitches, chain stitches and couching embroidery techniques.

It is a charming example of a Chinese woman's needlework and is in excellent condition...

During the late 1800's and early 1900's eyeglasses became an important accessory for the Chinese. Upon seeing eyeglasses on visiting Western dignitaries and businessmen, the Chinese perceived and admired these "spectacles" as age enhancing. Not only did the eyeglasses improve eyesight...but they added age and dignity to the face of the wearer. Equating age with wisdom and respect, many Chinese took up the custom of wearing eyeglasses...

This antique Chinese lock has a nicely patinated surface and is is working order. Measures 3.8 inches across.

Traditional Chinese rural style pillow of bamboo. This pillow would be stored with legs folded under during the day. Good condition 16"x4" by 5" high with legs extended.

This Manchu style jacket is out of Northern China during the late Qing Dynasty...Hand loomed heavy weight cotton fabric with wool sleeve borders and embroidery trim. fits small woman...and makes an impressive wall display