Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art (482)

This pair of earmuffs are kept together with a silk ribbon. Worn to protect the ears in winter, the outer side has delicate embroidered flower motif, and the inside is slightly padded and has ear pockets which slip of the ears.

This is a traditional Antique Coptic Christian scroll from the Oromo people of Ethiopia. Painted on Vellum (processed animal skin) and using a special black and red ink, the text is in the now extinct language of Ge'ez, which was originally used for religious purposes. Kitabe scrolls were often placed in a leather case and were carried as amulet...

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.

Charming mythical creature from Nepal..head is separate and rotates in fitted sleeve...intricate metal work with raised enamel drops giving the appearance of stones...crature stands roughly 4 inches high...

Instead of shoes, sandals such as these were worn in villages throughout India. Hand carved from indigenous woods, frequently teak and fitted to the individual wearer. The knob on the toe prevented the sandals from falling off and no other attachment was used.

This lovely hand carved old wooden loom pulley comes with is own custom made stand.

This well worn pair of Woman's Lotus shoes for bound feet are from the later part of the Qing Dynasty about 1870-1880. The vamp fabric is red cotton with a matching floral embroidery pattern on each side. The delicate hand stitching detail clearly shows the pride taken by the owner/maker. The soles are short of the toe vamp which was done to give the wearer a more floating and sensual appearance when walking.

This antique Japanese Marquetry box is a good example of the meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail that marked the Japanese Meiji Period. The sides of the lid have scalloped opening which ease the removal opening of the box which was probably designed for glove storage. 10.5 x 3.5 x 3.75 inches

This antique Dhokra depicts a large fish being ridden by 2 women and is probably representing some tribal legend or myth. Dhokras were made by the Kondh tribe of the state of Orissa India. The Dhokra, or small sculptures, were made as toys, ritual objects as well as gifts and talismans. They were much a part of tribal craftsmanship and culture during the 1700's and 1800's. Dhokras were made from a clay base with a net-like pattern and then cast in bronze using the lost wax technique...

This old Tibetan pouch would have been worn for festival both for decoration and coins...it is not a flint strike...clearly it has been used (probably passed from generation to generation)...decorated with coral and turquoise...a few metal enhavcements are missiog...

This hand carved panel is from a Chinese Buddhist Temple erected around 1860. The panel is deeply carved with a scene which takes place at the foot of the sacred mountain. Bits of Mother of Pearl are inlaid into the mountain and is also used to highlight a few costume details.

This panel was used as an architectural element and has the mortise cuts in the top which were used to hold the panel in place. It is one of a pair of panels which were taken from the temple...

This lacquer serving tray from Burma (now called Myanmar) depicts has a central medallion with a mythical Burmese creature, a chinthei, surrounded with 12 individual vignettes depicting children and other creatures. The tray is 19 x 11 inches with a rim 3/4 inches high. The top surface is somewhat dulled from age and exposure.

This set of old Chinese bookmarks was sent home to the US by Baptist Missionary Rebecca Cloud-Stewart... Each bookmark has original string and is made with embossed paper with silver surround on image of rural China.... set comes with Original Paper cover very good condition...never used... size 6.5 x 2 inches the ties are not included in the measurements

This lovely small woman's purse was made from silk satin fabric and embroidered with silk thread useing the satin stitch. The purse still has the original silk ribbon attached to the bottom, and belt loop attached at the top.

This box is covered with unusually fine cloisonne work. the four sides and top all have the same design motif. Nicely hinged at the back and sits on 4 separate ball feet. excellent condition, measured 4.5 inches x 2.5 inches x 1.5 inches.

This pair of Japanese dolls was gifted to America official who was sent to Japan to help reestablish tea industry after the war. wonderful condition: total display is 30 inches across, 10 inches deep and 14.5 inches high. The double platform is 4.5 inches of the total height.

This antique beaded headband is from Guang Dong province in China, and is typical of headgear worn by Chinese woman around the turn of the 19th-20th century. It would have been worn the narrow portion across the forehead, with the rounded flap portions covering the ears and fastened in the back of the head.

This pair of boots were made for the child of a wealthy Han family of the late Qing dynasty. They were made from a pale peach colored silk fabric and hand embroidered with silk thread using a satin stitch. The color on lower part of the boots, especially on the outside, has faded to a soft golden color. This would be due to sun exposure during use as the upper part of the boots would be covered by the childs pant legs...

This lovely old vest of damask silk is lightly padded for winter wearing. There is some sun fading on both front and back silk but overall condition is very good...original frog closures..hand stitched...cotton lining...

This Antique woven basket was typical of the baskets used in the kitchens of Hunan Province China. This particular style would have been used for rice storage...The red and black lacquer design is painted on all 4 sides. the interior is painted black lacquer. Condition is good considering age and usage of basket as a utilitarian item ..a few nicks and chips in the paint. 12 inches in diameter across the top. 9 inches high plus another 2 inches for the handles...

By the latter part of the 19th century the ruling Qings were obsessed with every last detail of dress. This antique top grain leather fan case could only have been owned by very wealthy Chinese woman.

Manchu women never practiced foot-binding. However, during the Qing dynasty, they did wear pedestal aka platform shoes, hoping to give the appearance of smaller feet. These shoes would give the woman a more careful walk which was perceived as dainty and more sensual. In addition, the tips of the shoes would appear to peak out from under the robes, giving the foot more dainty appearance. These shoes are embroidered on both sides with a floral motif...

Designed for travel, this old Chinese wooden hat stand comes apart to fit flat. Ethnographic item from the Qing dynasty, it has a good sculptural quality and is also good way to display your antique Chinese hat.

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.

Ornately detailed Meiji period hard to find pair of imperial archers for palace display Girls Day Hina Dolls. 5.5 inches high to the top of the head...

This 18th century Samurai stirrup has intricate overall floral pattern with inlaid silver wire which is somewhat obscured by tarnish. The raised footpad is red Lacquer and has wear mark in the toe area. There is a small break (and hole) in near the rim of the foot pad, which are commsurate with age and use of a Japanese warriors stirrup.

Several of the Southeast Asian hilltribes from the "Golden Triangle" region would practice tattooing as body art and religious ritual. This Burmese tattoo tool with the figure head was used to scratch the skin surface and apply the dye.

Dr Fu Qing Zhu "published" his book on Women's Health Issues in 1816. Originally hand copied until the 1860's, publications after that were made using hand carved woodblocks. This particular copy appears to be from 1885. It has all 4 volumes and the original cloth binding cover. There are hand written prescriptions on the front of 2 volumes...

This antique hat from Afghanistan is heavily decorated with variety of old Middle Eastern coins.

The Chinese ethnic minority Miao are very fond of silver and would use any festival to display their ornate silver jewelry. This dragon necklace was used by a young girl child from one of the many Miao villages around the hills of Kali. The pendent is 6.5 inches wide, childs' size, but the decorative chain is long enough for an adult to wear. Because the pendent is hollow, it is comfortable to wear. As one moves, the necklace makes a soft tinkling sound.

This elaborate beaded breastplate would have been worn for festivals by a wealthy Tibetan woman. The main section has 3 ornate silver and turquoise ornaments surrounded by a raised beaded coil which is bordered with cowrie shells. The neckline rolled and padded.

It is 13 inches across at the widest point and can be tied around the neck using the attached fabric ties. As is obvious in the pictures, there are a couple areas of lose on the turquoise ornaments.

Woven from wide bamboo strips, this lidded container was used for storing tobacco. Basket weaving was a traditional folk art throughout southeast Asia and most rural families relied on their own basketry skills to provide themselves with life's necessities.

This slightly miss-shaped container stands 8 inches tall and has the charm and patina which comes only with repeated use and age.

Silver Japanese hinged cigarette case, made for export to the US... Excellent pierced work forms different kenji on front and rear of box.

In 1881 Kintarō Hattori opened a watch and jewelry shop called "K. Hattori" in the Ginza area of Tokyo, Japan. Eleven years later, in 1892, he began to produce clocks under the name Seikosha (精工舎), meaning roughly "House of Exquisite Workmanship" The beginnings of the Seiko watch company...

Large Chinese embroidery panel with all over pattern of multiple assorted butterflies...wedgewood blue silk crape fabric surrounded with embroidered border...entire piece is lined with red cotton fabric... measure roughly 27 x 80 inches

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.

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 pair of Chinese lotus shoes were worn by a woman in He Bei Province during the end of the 1800's. Small bits of Leather are nailed to the heals because the women of that time liked the sound of the heal hitting the floor as they walked. A delicate floral motif was carefully embroidered to both sides of each shoe.

there are no rips and no tears but clearly these shoes were worn numerous times.

This antique Japanese small drawstring fisherman's bag is woven from hand rolled cording using indigenous natural plant fibers. It would be used for carrying home the catch at the end of day. The bag shows some areas of staining and one small area near the bottom where a few fiber cords have split. these condition areas are to be expected of a folk art item of this age and use. ,,,,,

the bag is roughly 10 x 12 inches and has a generous amount of cording for adjustable straps.

This antique Chinese rectangular serving tray is elaborately inlayed with Mother of Pearl. The ornate MOP design covers the surface of the tray and also goes about the exterior face of the narrow rim. Wood is most likely ebony and tray dates from mid 18th century.

Condition: All the MOP inlay is intact but there are numerous tiny nicks and chips in the surface finish on the inside and outside edges of the rim surround...

There are a total of eight signs, each with a different "saying" having to do with well wishes. Due to the age of the calligraphy, and the vagueres of the old Chinese language, accurate translations have not been possible for each sign. Each sign is carved out of wood with raised wooden characters and inlayed with MOP flakes. Each is 21 inches tall and roughly 4.5 inches wide. I have listed them separately, to allow for pictures of each

Diameter approximately 2.75 inches, this antique chinese mirror may have originally had silvered surface on reflective side...brought to the US 1920-1930 by missionary Rebecca Cloud-Stewart..deterioration of metal surfaces as expected.

Though the traditional practice of Tibetan "sky burial" is well known. But in some areas of Tibet the Buddhist practice of cremation is also used for some individuals, and The ashes are placed in a box made specifically for that purpose. This cremation box dates to the 18th century and has carved line decoration on the sides... It is made so that the top is keyed to the bottom and slides open from one end...

This set of 4 matching Chinese toggles were hand carved from animal bone, probably the vertebra. Each side is carved with an identical design which continues around the side. They are well aged and show both wear and usage. As artifacts from the folk art culture, they were probably carved by the person who intended to use them to secure his personal items. Each piece is approx 1 inch in diameter and .5 inches thick.

This large Chinese scale has metal balance beams and shallow metal bowls. The scale fits into an ornately carved red and black lacquer wooden case which is slightly domed and has its original copper band closure. There is some wood chip loss around what was the hole for the string which allowed the case to be hung up for storage. Dating from the 1800's the braided cords which attach the shallow bowls to the metal balance beam appear to be replacement cords...

This old wooden dragon was hand carved with an expressive face and large black eyes. He balances nicely with his tail on a short pedestal. Gripping his prized pineapple in his paws, he licks it with his tongue, clearly relishing the sweet taste. The pineapple has a short hollow plug on top to provide for an incense stick.

The name Zhang Feng Chao is carved on the underside of the pedestal. This old dragon is a wonderful example of an old Chinese folk art artifact. He has dropped 3 "scales...

This antique toggle was sourced from China. I suspect that was originally from Tibet. The carved circular markings on bottom of 2 of the sides of the toggle are more typical of the ethnic minorities.

Toggle is almost 2 inches long and .5 inches x .5 inches.

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.

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.

Roughly 9 inches x 9 inches x 4 inches, with a richly patinated surface, this container is a wonderful ethnographic artifact from anot...

This old pair of Chinese shoes were made for a small child. Appliqued onto the red cotton background fabric are bits of trim and cotton fabric which give the appearance of a cats face. Gold thread is used in a couching embroidery stitch for the design on the both sides of each shoe.

Tradition Lotus shaped Chinese silk pillow Fret pattern Embroidered background with dragons and other creatures using both satin stitch and couching with gold metallic covered thread.... Some fading and some wear around the edge... roughly 8 x 14 inches A note on displaying textiles… When framing Chinese textiles….do not allow your framer to glue the textile to any kind of backing board… Instead have the textile basted (sewn) to a piece of complimentary background fabric…and the...

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

This old Chinese silk hat would have been owned and worn by a gentleman of some financial means. The gold fretted trim was expensive and used on both mens and woman's clothing of the during late Qing dynasty. There is some blue trim fabric lost as shown in the pictures. The hat is lined with red cotton fabric and has writing in 2 of the 6 sections.

There are a total of eight signs, each with a different "saying" having to do with well wishes. Due to the age of the calligraphy, and the vagueres of the old Chinese language, accurate translations have not been possible for each sign. Each sign is carved out of wood with raised wooden characters and inlayed with MOP flakes. Each is 21 inches tall and roughly 4.5 inches wide. I have listed them separately, to allow for pictures of each

This lovely antique bell is a traditional Ghanta, which is a Tibetan Buddhist ritual bell, sometimes called Dril, bu,and/or singing bell. Just over 6 inches tall, this Ghana is paired with the Dorje at the top of the handle, and the surface is decorated with an abundance of Tibetan symbols. This bell has the original clapper, has a lovely tone and beautiful patina. Bell is 6.5 inches (16.5 CM) tall

The Ghanta represents feminine power, wisdom, receptiveness, and the voice of the Buddha.

This Rondel was most likely cut from a Qing dynasty antique Chinese robe, this rondel was bordered. The silk is slightly faded but in good condition. The satin stitch embroidery is clear and clean with no stains. Rondel is 16 inches diameter

This face-sized antique mask of a shaman or Buddhist priest is from Tibet. The hand carving is both delicate and simple, with chisel marks showing on the back of the mask.

Toward the late Qing and early Republic periods, footbinding in urban centers became less common. But women were still concerned with fashionable footwear. This pair of beaded strips are actually shoes parts which would have been sewn with other matching beaded fabric parts to form a pair of beaded shoes.

These old Chinese tinted eyeglasses date from the Qing Dynasty. There is a tiny bat on the nose bridge, and ornately detailed hinged temple and ear pieces.

This matching Japanese 5 piece set consists of 2 deeply footed shallow serving bowls and 3 small shallow bowls. The deep rich red/orange lacquer background serves to highlight the gold, black and gray landscape scene which graces the inside of each piece. Flying high overhead a gold crane surveys the pine tree and series of sacred mountains. The largest piece is 7 inches diameter, next piece is 6 inches diameter and the 3 pieces each have a 3.5 inch diameter.

This charming pair of lotus shoes are from northern China and date to the late Qing Dynasty. The delicately embroidered flower goes across the toe of each shoe and the wide ornate woven band forms a cuff around the top of each shoe.