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 Tibetan woven wool sash from the mid to late 20th century measures 5½ x 104 inches (14 x 264.2 cm) including the braided fringes and is in excellent condition. These sashes are used by Tibetans to tie their traditional apron attire (chuba for women, lokpa for men) and also to secure knives, bundles etc. The luster of these wool belts is derived from the high lanolin content to be found in the hairs of high-altitude goats living in the Himalayan range from which these belts are woven...
Measuring 8 x 116 inches (20.3 x 294.6 cm) including the braided fringes, this woven wool sash from Tibet is in excellent condition. The sash is a dark bergundy with indigo stripes and orange thread sewn along the edges to prevent fraying. Estimated age: mid to late 20th century...
A woven wool sash from Tibet, circa mid to late 20th century. Measuring 15.3 x 300 cm including the fringes, it is in overall good condition, but with some fraying. These sashes are used by Tibetans to tie their traditional attire (chuba for women, lokpa for men) and also to secure knives, bundles etc. Enlargement #6 shows the use of these sashes in traditional Tibetan nomadic culture (© 1995 East of Lo Manthang by Peter Matthiessen and Thomas Laird).
This Tibetan wool sash measures 12.7 cm x 340.4 cm in length including the silky fringes. The tigma (cross) motif is an ancient good luck charm among Tibetans and here it is depicted in a discontinuous weft pattern design. These sashes are traditionally worn to secure the traditional Tibetan attire called a chuba. The high lustre of the wool is attributed to the high lanolin content of the goat wool in the high altitude regions of the Tibetan plateau...
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.
This man's wedding shawl (known as "malir", or "doshalo") is from Tharparker district in Sindh province and would be a gift from a bride and her family to the groom for his wedding day attire. It is basically an embroidered "ajrak", meaning a red handspun, mordant-dyed, resist-printed cotton, embroidered in the four corners with stylized peacocks symbolizing fertility, and randomly placed mirrors ("shisha") as accents...
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...
This embroidered shirt panel is typical of the traditional embroidery of Kandahar ("khamak") in its limited range of colors and its depiction of geometric motifs of traditional Islamic art. Silk thread in extremely delicate satin stitch in counted-thread technique on a fine silk background which has been stitched to a cotton linen. It measures 38 x 43.5 cm and is dated to the early 20th century. Condition excellent, only two inconspicuous stains on one side.
In Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon (Dzongkha), the time spent in embroidering textiles is considerable and can involve as much as a year for certain ceremonial textiles such as this one with a black background, called a "napsham". Surprisingly, the intricacy of the woven design elements that closely resemble embroidery is created on looms, mostly backstrap looms. This textile measures 97 x 243 cm including the fringes and is embroidered in cotton yarn on a raw silk ground...
An important long stock designed Ghurra with a hand carved on top, very fine condition , H 34 cm , more information on request
A long stick design ghurra, very fine condition , H 29 cm
More information on request
Magnificent Serpentine hand carved GANESH and Singha Lion Figure. Very good condition, no damage or repair whatsoever. Size: H. 20 cm. x W. 12 cm. x D. 4 cm. Very fine workmanship indeed.
Incredible Indo/Persian watercolor and gouache painting depicting Mugal Princess, most likely Momtaz wife of Shah Jahan, in period custom dress. Size: the item is 12 x 7.5 inches with the sight itself has a
dimension of 6 x 4 inches in very good condition.
Incredible Indo/Persian watercolor and gouache painting depicting Mugal Emperor in period custom dress. Size: the item is 11 x 7 inches with the sight itself has a
dimension of 5 x 3 inches, in very good condition.
Incredible Indo/Persian watercolor and gouache painting depicting Mugal Emperor in period custom dress. Size: the item is 11 x 7 inches with the sight itself has a
dimension of 5 x 3 inches, in very good condition.
Incredible Indo/Persian watercolor and gouache painting depicting Mugal Emperor in period custom dress. Size: the item is 11 x 7 inches with the sight itself has a
dimension of 5 x 3 inches, in very good condition.
Incredible Indo/Persian watercolor and gouache painting depicting Mugal Emperor in period custom dress. Size: the item is 11 x 7 inches with the sight itself has a
dimension of 5 x 3 inches, in very good condition.
A 1940s Kashmir wood turned box featuring a wonderful warm gold and green lacquered mottled design over black. It measures 5.75 inches across and 4.5 high including finial.
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...
Patchwork quilts ("rilhi") are among the finest folk art coverlets in Pakistan. Sindhis have traditionally used them as ground covers at outdoor Sufi religious festivals. This rilhi is from Thatta and measures 75 1/2 inches by 95 inches. It is dated to the mid 20th century. Condition is excellent (no holes, stains, nor repairs).
Very elegant and elaborate ceremonial Silk Chiffon, hand embroidered with brocade, sequins and pearls. Good condition. Size: L. 83" (212 cm.) x W. 35.5" (90 cm.)
The elaborate traditional costume of Kohistani women is comprised of a dress (jumlo) and shawl (chuprai) which are worn over trousers with finely embroidered cuffs. The shawl is constructed of two overlapping rectangular panels, hemmed with white beaded fringing. The two bottom corners are joined by turning up the lower edge, and the join is embellished with a triangular beaded motif which functions as an amulet, while adding weight to the bottom edge...
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.
Typical of the mountainous Swat valley in northern Pakistan, this cushion cover ("thakia" in Urdu) is distinguished by a purple cotton background embroidered in a bright pink, with yellow and sage highlights. This amazing piece measures 14 1/8 inches x 30 inches (36.1 cm x 76.2 cm). Swati embroidery patterns are traditionally handed down from mother to daughter and these are the typical color contrasts. In Swat, the embroidery is called bagh, meaning flower garden...
Dated to the mid 20th century, this cushion cover (thakia) measures 15¼ inches x 30 inches (38.7 cm x 76.2 cm). As the Hazara district is situated between Punjab and Swat, the embroidery of this area is stylistically very similar to that of the Swat Valley. However, these pieces are generally more complex in design and construction. This piece is embroidered on both sides with silk on a cotton background in a predominantly geometric pattern...
Typical of the mountainous Swat valley in northern Pakistan, this cushion cover is distinguished by the black cotton background embroidered in a zinging, shocking pink...
a large traditional milk spoon, milky patina can be seen on the spoon, whereas the handle shows a shinny black patina as a witness of a long use.Note the anthropomorphic carving on the disk opposite to the spoon. It is carved in a single piece of wood. More information on request wide 45 cm
Wonderful Southeast Indian Wooden Bowl.
Description: Nicely carved with woven decoration on the border, from a piece of a tree trunk. Size: 11.75"W x 8"D x 2.75"H, in great condition.
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. Back in the day we used to call these compositions "Peshawars," referencing their point of origin as Peshawar Pakistan, but it is possible that similar pieces are being produced in the border regions of Northern India these days as travel through Pakistan has become much more hazardous.
Size and Condition: Framed ...
A small terra cota figuring a very old elephant, from tharu people, south Nepal , border of India,
More information on request
Hight 11.5 cm , length 16 cm
From early XXth
A ghurra showing a house on the top, very dark shinny patina, great signs of use and great age, Height 27 cm , thickness 5 cm
very good condition
A long stick design Ghurra, obvious signs of use and good age, height 37 cm, Thick 5.5 cm
Tamang people, Est central Nepal
Large Horse Head Festival Mask from Orissa, an area of India renowned for centuries for its fine sculpture. A beautiful, colorful and large example, 2 feet (61cm) in height. From the collection of Irwin Hersey, renowned author on Asian and primitive art, and publisher of the Primitive Art Newsletter in the 1970s. Irwin Hersey was an advisor to museums and prominent collectors, and vetted pieces for many of the international tribal art fairs and Asian art fairs.
An unusual protector coated with reddish mineral pigment (rato mato). The wild design takes advantage of the natural shape of a piece of trees, two broken branches figure the arms, the face is very simple and minimal
Very strong wood and good condition, fossilized aspect in some areas , obvious signs of age possibly from early 20Th
Height 90 cm , face 27 cm , the figures is based on a metal stand (not shown on the pictures)
A nice and old Naga plate with handle made in a single piece of wood, very good condition
Nagaland for Inf look " The Naga" Ed Olizane
Height 32 cm, diameter 30 cm