This is a charming old cloisonne teapot from the later part of the Qing Dynasty in China. During this time period the traditions and culture of tea making and drinking had evolved to include the appreciation of tea articles as art objects in addition to their utilitarian purposes. This well crafted miniture teapot would have been sought after for its sculptural form.

Each side of the body of the teapot has a different floral motif with a background pattern of clouds traditional Ruyi...

This charming Chinese Mongolian demon puppet slides over the hand and the head and arms can be manipulated using the thumb and figures. He does have carved wooden hands which extend out from the arms of his costume. There are also cloth legs with carved wooden boots...

This antique Chinese wooden carved pedestal stand with attached mirror dates is from the late Qing dynasty. This piece of furniture would have sat on a dresser or chest. The carving is high quality and begins at the base. The mid section carving displays a dragon and pagoda. The frame of the circular mirror has bats carved all around.

This piece has been held in storage by a Texas collector and is in excellent condition...

This pair of earmuffs are kept together with a silk ribbon...

this antique pair of lotus embroidered lotus shoes are most likely from northern china. the vamp is a quilted cotton fabric. Each shoe is embroidered with the same floral design on both sides. The shoes were used and show some soiling on the vamp and the soles are slightly worn and dirty...

According to traditional Chinese culture, shoes were considered to be a symbol of good luck, and shoes and a gift of token shoes would have been given as a sign of well wishing.

This tiny pair of wooden shoes are meticulously carved, with pierced work on both sides and the soles of each shoe...scarcely 2 inches long...excellant condition...

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...

A pair of cranes is carved into the top of this Qing Dynasty peach shaped inkbox. Inside the box remains a supply of dried ink and the on the inside top is an inkstone for "grinding" future ink. A pair of birds (considered to mate for life) was a common symbol used to represent a long and happy marriage. The Peach symbol represents long life...

A Chinese man would have worn this egg shaped wooden tobacco container hanging from his belt. Both front and back are decorated with metal studs and fitting attached with copper nails. The lid is hinged and held in place by a decorative pin which is pulled up to open...

Charming Qing Dynasty Chinese pot used for warming wine or saki. Hot water would be poured into the main container and the small pot would hold the wine. Made of pewter or low grade silver with bronze fitting. each side of the outer pot has minor scratches on the surface...

This small strand of Buddhist prayer beads would have been kept in a pocket or looped on a belt. Bought in China from a Tibetan, the strand of tiny dark beads is broken up with coral beads to assist in counting. The 3 fabric triangles, from departed monks robes, are amulets containing various protective prayers...

This Chinese silk robe is detailed with silk ribbon trim and the sleeve panels have a floral design made using rolled metalic threads and couching embroidery technique. ...

The Chinese have kept crickets for many centuries. Unlike most cricket cases, this elegantly made rosewood cricket cage would have given the family pet lots of air and easy viewing. ...

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. Those Chinese with good eyesight...used clear lens with no...

This late Qing Dynasty hat is in excellant condition. Made with silk fabric with silk thread embroidery on both front and back, it has long tassels on each side....