Catalog: Sold Items (118)

This ladle was formed from a single steer horn and has been polished by years of use in service culinary soups and stews etc...Origins British Isles probably Scottish. There is a crack in the bowl but it retains its beauty as an object of the domestic arts.

Sourced from Rong Jiang area of China, the silver sectioned container was made and used by the Miao ethnic minority as a smoking accessory. Worn hanging from a belt, the collection of pipe cleaning tools would act as a toggle to counter weight the container at the other end. Made from low grade silver, the 3 sectioned container has an etched and pierced design and is held together with handmade chain...

This sleeve panel is made with light green silk fabric. It is decorated with floral designs in satin stitched blue silk thread with butterflies high-lighted with white,green and purple thread. Condition is very good. Each sleeve measures 3.5" X 30 inches Embroidered section measures 3" x 20"

This attached pair of red silk embroidered strips would have been worn as an accessory on the back of a man's hat so that they draped down the nobleman's back. There are mirror images of 2 pairs dragons on each side, embroidered with metal threads. Excellant condition and approx 30 inches in length.

This small oil lamp has a floral motif cloisonne base and glass globe. An artifact of the Qing dynasty, this style lamp was often referred to as an opium lamp, presummably because of their use in the opium dens of that period.

At 3.5 inches high, it is in good condition with no dents and no losses.

Very dramatic deeply concave oval shaped African shield from Ethiopia. The animal hide is scraped free of hair and then placed over a shaped board with protrusions which will allow for greater protection in warding off blows. The edge is tightly rolled and there are added tool marks for heightened decoration. The handle is tied and knotted into place at a slight angle to allow for a more comfortable hold.

Shield is 21 inches at the widest point and about 6 inches deep...

Suspended from its original black silk knotted cord this antique Chinese toggle has a tiny bell dangling from each side. There is a small coral bead and a large turquoise bead dangling from the center. The silver colored metal is assumed to be low grade. the assembledge measures 3 inches from the first bead to the bottom bell drop. the cord and knot add another 3 inches.

This pair of handmade woman's shoes were made with cotton vamp and satin stitched embroidered flower motif. The exaggerated upturned front toe was used as a decorative element by several minority groups but from the detailing, I think that they are most likely Miao ethnic minority. They are small and narrow, and probably belonged to a young girl. The Miao, like most minorities, did not practice foot binding. The walking sole measures 6.5 inches long and 2" at the widest part.

This antique Chinese necklace has an ornately detailed large Kylin as the central medallion. The medallion is 3.5 inches across and there are are five decorative chains hanging from it. Each of these chains ends with a fruit. The low grade silver used for the necklace is typical of the Chinese silver used in old China. The Kylin is a Chinese mythical animal.

This lock necklace can comfortably be worn by a adult even though it was originally intended for a child...

This Chinese winter court officials hat has an elaborate gold acorn finial, silk velvet brim, and red silk tassels. The black chin strap cord is tied with a double adjusting slip knot. The hat is in good condition.

This child's headpiece was from a very high status, wealthy Chinese family. Basically made of 3 pieces of shaped and intricately carved leather, it was made "adjustable". Heavily decorated with additional carved elements, dragons, beads and pompoms, it still has most of the original gold paint. This is a rare treasure. approx 6" x 3.5"

This charming doll is wonderfully detailed. She is all cloth with embroidered face features, beaded necklace and matching headband and thread hair. She is wearing a long under slip. Her dress is has multiple layers of gathered bands of fabric, and is topped with a full length apron which ties in the back.

Held in a private collection for the past 20+ years, she is in excellent condition and stands over 15" high.

This antique gau would have been worn around the neck of a Tibetan woman during festivals. The gau front and side surfaces are decorated with ornate wire work and the front has small beads of turquoise, coral and Lapis. Originally, the gau box would have contained Buddhist religious relics which were removed long ago... and there is some obvious lose to the enamal work on the inside of the gau. The back fits tightly but can easily be removed. It has the sign of the double dorjie...

For centuries, the Chinese practiced ancestor worship as a religious ritual. Ancestor (also known as) or Spirit tablets were a ritual object commonly seen in temples and shrines and on household altars. Usually made of one or 2 pieces of wood...

This purse would have had a shoulder strap attached and would have been used by an adult female of the Chinese Yi ethnic minority group. All hand stitched with cross stitching embroidery and other techniques, hand made cording (string) knotted across the bottom. The bag is lined with home spun had woven fabric made from "fireweed" plant. Back is unadorned.

piece is 12.5 inches across. light soiling from use.

The front of this Tibetan snuff bottle has deep silver repousse with animals and plants. Top stopper has a long copper spoon. The front has a larger circular opening which is fitted with a matching silver repousse stopper decorated with a piece of turquoise. Both the top and front stoppers are tied to the main bottle with a leather thong to prevent loss. The rear has a design deeply etched into the silver surface.

The bottle is roughly 4 inches high, 3 inches across and 2 inches thick.

Edited by The Cultural Palace of Nationalities and Published by Nationality Press, Beijing 1985 hard to get English version. 200+ pages of excellant color photos Frankly, the best book on the subject...

The wheel is covered with deep red coral beads. Additional strands of coral beads and the turning weight are attached to a narrow leather strap which bands the center of the wheel. The handle was hand turned. Almost 12" hight and 5" in diameter, this old prayer wheel has seen many turns.