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

Big "Bianlian" Nuo mask of Tudi Gong, the "God of soil" and grains, essential in an agrarian country. He is the main actor in Wunuo cult, usually represented with a smiling face, and long eyebrows and beard often missing or replaced later; when missing, we can see holes where the hair was fastened.
Bianlian means face changing: this mask has an articulated jaw which could be animated by the wearer...

Huangyangmu (rosewood) pipe ornament of a monkey riding a guardian lion; promotion and protection symbol.
The lion holds a mobile ball in its mouth; wonderful patina and beautiful colour, very good condition despite its great age, 18th C? H :4 cms

Nuo mask of Tang Shi Tai Po, venerable Tang lady, the Guardian of the peach tree (the peach of immortality); identifiable because she has the" fat face" of the Tang court ladies; backside scratched (for ritual purpose ?); 22x14 cms, end of 19th C. Hunan. (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.

DESCRIPTION: A fine, large Chinese boxwood toggle in the shape of a Chinese coin with four script characters on each side surrounding the square hole. Around the edge, various plant and animal forms are carved in high relief, including a flower, bird, squirrel and bat. The suspension cord, connecting it to an object such as a tobacco pouch, would have been strung through the openings under the bat's wings. Wonderful patina, excellent condition, and dating from the 1800's or earlier...

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.

Antique Chinese tall wardrobe cabinet, made all of jumu (elm) wood with very beautiful grain, middle bar has been attached to door so that the cabinet opens with clear access to interior, inside has one shelf with two small drawers of jumu wood finished on the front to match the exterior of cabinet, bottom has one large drop in panel that locks with key, 19th century. Size: 78 1/2" high x 42 3/4" wide x 21" deep.

Chinese wooden hand carved mask of a smiling man, its jaw left open so that the wearer had an easier time speaking. Features of the mask include red lacquer lips, black lacquer eyebrows, nice carved details such as the teeth, nostrils, wrinkled forehead and hair. 18th/19th century Size: 6.75" height, 4.75" width

This plain pot metal vessel was used to contain hair oil during the reign of Chinese Emperor Daoquang about 1850. Standing about 6 inches high and 3.5 inches diameter at the widest point, a woman would dip her comb into the oil before combing her hair. I do have an identical matched pair of these but am selling them separately.

Huangyangmu (rosewood) pipe ornament of a Foo Dog with a moving ball in its mouth.
Rare representation, perfect condition, beautiful patina ; H : 4,5 cms

Chinese carved Ivory Toggle, Lotus Seeds carved out of the solid Ivory tip, Ca. 1800's, 1 1/2" high, 1 1/4" x 1 1/8" wide, with some naturally aged small hairline, beautifully aged old patina over well carved and polished surface, the details is very fine. The condition is good.

Chinese heavy carved Stone Slab with Rabbit carving on one side and Floral branch on the other side, Ca. 19th C. 12 1/2" high, 14 1/2" wide, 5 1/2" deep on bottom plat form section. Nicely aged old look, the condition is good, no major damages.

This traditional Chinese antique tea container was made from bamboo. The outside has a carved rib design. This tea caddy would have been used regularly by family and friends during the Qing dynasty. Some minimal loss of finished surface on top ...to be expected with age and use...9.5 inches high

Carved from a single block of hardwood, this Chinese drum has great patina aged surfaces. An old folk art instrument, it shows the wear of use during many musical performances at chinese operas and street festivals. When "beaten" with its accompanying drum stick, it has a deep attractive sound.

This is one of 4 small individual antique Chinese carvings which I am listing separately. I had always assumed them to be 4 of the eight immortals but upon close inspection, I am now not sure which gods, ancestors or legends they represent. Each character stands with its own faithful foo type dog and carries an implement of some kind. Each has a peg on the bottom which fits into the own homemade stand.

This character stands 5.75 inches x 3 inches wide and 1 inch thick...

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)

Nuo masks of Tudi Gong and 2 Xiaopo. 2 Xiaopo: small masks for children. Very humorous set of 3, beautiful craftsmanship and nice backside patina.
Tudigong: the "God of soil" and grains, essential in an agrarian country. He is the main actor in Wunuo cult, usually represented with a smiling face, and long eyebrows and beard often missing or replaced later; when missing, we can see holes where the hair was fastened. Chinese character for "happiness" on the cap...