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 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...

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.

From our Indian Subcontinent Collection, a fine and large tempura on silk original painting depicting figures in what seems like a celestial dance, almost a magical procession...

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.

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.

This Ghurra which imitates a chain is carved from a single piece of wood so without any gluing. The top shows 2 two protectors sitting back to back like Janus H 6 cm. This work testifies to a great mastery of wood carving and also to a deep respect for churning work. H 23 cm More information on local origin on request

Richly carved with geometrical carvings, the upper part figures a houses supported by milk pots, H H26 cm, Thickness 3 cm , weight 250 gr Further information on request

Formal Indian Sari (just like the ones you see in Bollywood movies), worn for weddings or important religious occasions. This has never been worn. I acquired it from an estate where it has been sitting in a trunk for the past 20 years, and the inside humdity, which caused the brown dye to bleed into the embroidered border somewhat. Please examine images. This L: 5m x 1.4m and is handloomed silk. It was woven in Banaras in the two toned Tanchoi style and silver thread “jari” embroidery...

Abstract floral patterns combine with medallion motifs in shades of dark red and pink in this kameez from the Hazara district, North West Frontier Province (recently re-named Khyber Pakhtunkhwa). Silk floss on cotton (a handwoven coarse cloth called khaddar), the embroidery is in the characteristic phulkari stitch which resembles a satin stitch but only on the front side. Each cuff has an embroidered band in brick stitch...

old mushroom mask, with a shiny black patina. These mask are made from tree parasit mushroom with a minimal carving work. The aime of the carvers is to take advantage of the native form of the mushroom. These masks are usually hung inside homes to function as protective effigies. They are more occasionally used as face masks during festival season, H 29 cm, width 38 cm weight1Kg.

A two-double janus ancestors which could seems rough at first glance but looking carefully reveals a peculiar design, the larger form is yet anthropomorphic with a superposed carved second human silhouette, the back side is similar. From Rukkum district, mid 20th, presented on an iron stand, H 24 cm:

Robust ghurra surprising by its gigantic dimensions, while little use index can be observed despite an estimate good age ( 40 to 50 years). The ghurras may well ask riddles unanswered for now. Important geometric and symmetrical prints with beautiful black patina areas due to aging wood and also likely handling... H 34 cm, thickness 4.5 cm , max wide 13 cm weight 800 gr Presented on a metal stand Further information on request

A tobacco pouch from Indus Kohistan, probably Palas or Kolai valley. Cotton embroidered with silk in satin stitch. The string on the side of the bag is used to hang the pouch from a huqqa (water pipe) while it is being smoked. Circa second half of 20th century. Condition of this textile is excellent.

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...

Shamanic phurbu whose top part shows a rider with hands joined in the ritual gesture of Namaste. The mount is not a horse but could be the ashoka lion. age circa 50 years. Height 29cm.

This item is coming from people from Terai community, It represent a drum player which be activated through a complicated rope network, at least two or three explanation can be forwarded regarding the role of this piece. Height 23 cm wide 23 cm, the piece is based on a metal stand Two similar pieces are available More information on request