Catalog (603)

This woven Tibetan container would have been used to hold a pair of wooden tea bowls...there is an interior separator (removable) which allows for the separation of tea bowls. Hand made using plant materials (hemp) and rattan with leather closures Bowls would have been packed into container such as this when traveling... and from the condition of this one...it has traveled many times. The container is 6 inches diameter at the top and 4 inches high...well aged fair condition...

Designed for travel, this old Chinese wooden hat stand comes apart to fit flat. Ethnographic item from the Qing dynasty, it has a good sculptural quality and is also good way to display your antique Chinese hat.

Traditional Qing style side closing, black satin weave cotton fabric with elaborate trim... really striking and wearable garment

Common to South Arabia and Yemen, the mesh "labbeh" or "Kirdam" were worn wrapped around the neck or attached to the sides of the headgear hanging down as a frame to women’s chin. This particular libbeh is from the late 1800’s–early 1900. This very finely made tribal labbeh has elaborate lengths of filigree and numerous dangling beads. This type of jewelry would have been part of a woman’s dowry given to the bride by her father. the labbeh section measures 7.5 inches across and 4 inc...

Hand carved heavy old wooden Quran (aka Koran) Muslin book reader out of Middle East, Central Asia. Reader folds flat when not in use and has extra arm separator for storage of additional pages. Good patina, some wear marks as expected in an item of this age

This elaborate woman's dress bodice is from Afghanistan, formerly Baluchistan. The fabric was first elaborately embroidered with an applique of thin strands of braids. Then it was heavily decorated with coins and beads.

This short sword and matching scabbard from Bhutan is elaborately decorated. The knife handle or sword hilt has a leather cover which is detail with silver reposse and a coral bead. The wooden scabbard is covered with leather and is decorated with an elaborate silver reposse dragon. The knife blade is has a series of added symbols. The belt loop is also decorated with a series of silver objects.

This Bhutanese knife is unusually large, measuring 18 inches from the top of the handle to t...

This is a traditional Chinese pack saddle which were used throughout China for carrying various sacks of grains and goods. The front is carved foo dogs and there is a key carved decoration around the border. It is unusual to find this type saddle with the painted black lacquered finish. This one was probably owned by a wealthy family and used only for special events. The finish is worn off as the straps from the packs and sacks have worn off the finish across the areas where they would have ...

This traditional Dayak medicine container is made in 2 pieces. The upright piece is carved from wood representing ancestor spirits at the prow of a boat. The horizontal piece is a carved animal horn, presumably goat. The original wooden hinge pin has been replaced with a new piece of wood as the old one was broken and unusable. Dayak is the general name used for the various indigenous tribal groups living in Borneo, which is now called Kalimantan.

There are 3 pairs of serving trays in this boxed set of Japanese sushi trays. Each pair is a different size and color combination. Each tray displays the family mon or emblem on the front. There are 2 red trays, 2 red and black trays, and 2 all black trays. Being Japanese, the pairs of trays nest together a specific order to be stored in the carrying box.

The kiri wood box has a strip of wood on each side to act as a carrying handle. The box is 14.25 inches (36 cm) square by 28.25 (72 cm)...

This charming Japanese netsuke has the face of Noh theatre character surrounded with intricate basket weave pattern. It is signed under the chin dimensions 2.5 x 2 x 1 inch

This antique Burmese betel nut box contains matching serving tray and 4 small containers. The side of the box is circled with an excellent example of the Burmese schwezawa technique of gold leaf in a striking swirling chu-pan foliage design. The top has a lively chinthe, a traditional Burmese stylized "lion" figure with a vine and leaf foliage border.

The outer box is 7 inches in diameter and 4 inches high. Only the surface of the lid of the box shows signs of age from normal exposure to ...

This fine antique large betel nut container from Burma is painted with a traditional ornate "yun" incised lacquer design called “yok-thei”. There are tiny dancers swirling through an intricate background of vine vegetation. High sided cylindrical betel boxes called "kun-it" were used to store betel leaves and other ingredients. The deep lid fits snugly to keep the contents fresh.

Unfortunately, this container is missing the original tray insert. The few hair-line surface cracks and the so...

This box would have been used to display sacred Buddhist Sutra or text book. The importance of the contents is indicated by the viewing windows on front, back, top and sides of the box. The exterior of the box is covered with black lacquer and over-painted with gold. It is painted red on the inside.

There is some minimal paint loss, which is to be expected in a piece of this age. 24 inches(60 cm) long 5 inches (12 cm) high

This Chinese carved bamboo brush rest has traditional dragons chasing pearl and cloud motif. The background shape is the 5 mountains and the rim of the mountains have carved ridges. The piece measures 3.5 inches high and 6 inches across. The natural curve of the bamboo allows the piece to stay upright, and the piece remains balanced on the 1/2 inch thick bamboo. Condition is very good.

This dagger was made from the leg bone of a cassowary bird. It was carved and used as a weapon by one of the indigenous tribal groups of Papua New Guinea, aka PNG. Approx 8 inches long with great patina and makes a wonderful example of an ethnographic artifact.

Intricately detailed, this miniature scaled model of a japanese tea house was the result of a village folk art craftsman sometime between the late 1890-1920. Each piece is carved from bamboo and is pegged into place. The rice paper shutter doors slide and addition solid shutters are stored in the exterior swinging compartments. The roof is easily removed to reveal the inside which is furnished with an alter, bamboo scroll,flower vase and serving tansu with sliding doors. Outside is the bath...

Originally part of a full sized Tibetan adult costume, this piece was cut down to complete a childs festival costume. Decorated with turquoise, coins, tassels and silver ornaments, this type of textile accessory would often be attached to the elaborate headdress or hat and drape down the back to complete the wearers costume. The Tibetan people are not wastefull and items of festival garments in any condition are hard to acquire. I have had it hanging on my wall for a number of years. Today, ...