Catalog (603)

This antique pair of wooden spoons were hand carved and delicately shaped. The handles are deeply arched and the ends are painted with a gilded paint. They were heavily covered with a clear lacquer finish.

Each band of this pair of very fine silk embroideries have 2 sets mirror images: one set of floral motif and the other set of a couple celebrating. Both sets use satin stitch, french knot (aka forbidden stitch) and couching embroidery techniques. The embroideries are on a background fabric of fine patterned silk which measures 6" by 15". The floral embroidery is 1.5 x 2" and the couple embroidery is 1.5 x 5". Because of the sizes of the fabric and the sizes and arrangement of the embroiderie...

Pair of black satin weave cotton fabric with white silk satin stitched thread embroidered floral design. very good condition. Each panel measures 7" x 29" Embroidered section measures 4"X 19"

This necklace consists of 2 carved ivory beads 3/4ths inch diameter, 8 large carved bone beads 3/4th inch, and 88 smaller carved bone beads (1/2 inch). Each large bone and ivory bead has a protective metal sleeve around the stringing hole. If opened up the strand would measure approx 48 inches...beautiful patina on both the ivory and the bone beads....

This Chinese hair comb was hand carved from a beautifully "grained" translucent animal horn. Obtained from an ethnic minority person, the pair of ducks carved into the handle were commonly used by mainstream Han Chinese as a symbol of a long and happy marriage. Items with this symbol would often be gifted for an anniversary.

During the Qing dynasty, carved wood blocks were used to produce the ancestor portraits which decorated the homes of many Chinese families. The Chinese translation of the term "ancestor Portraits" can be misleading to Westerners. These were not portraits of the particular family's ancestors. They were portraits of various Chinese officials, emperor, empress, etc. for whom the family wished to show respect and or allegiance.

This stencil is approximately 9" by 9" and has some calligraphy ...

Used for repeated printing of an image onto paper, this carved wooden ink block has the image of Fu Lu Shou, the Chinese God of Longevity. Almost 6.5 x 10 inches...this inkblock makes a nice wall hanging

made in China for the export market, this one piece ivory page turner has a dragon carved into the handle on one side. It is 7 inches long and in excellent condition.

This hat is extensively decorated with the wrapped thread embroidery technique which is distinctive to the Dong Ethnic Minority group. Additionally detailed with tassels and plastic beads, the hat was clearly made by a loving grandmother approximately 30-35 years ago. The hat is in excellent condition.

Clearly made by an adoring grandmother, this antique Dong Minority hat is covered with a variety of ornate embroidery stitches including both wrapped thread and couching techniques. The hat is topped with silver half beads representing bubbles and a large top knot.. It is a bid dirty which would be expected in a childs hat of this age and use.

This tradition style childs collar of the Dong minority was handmade by the mother or grandmother. The fabric was cut from fragments of handwoven cloth stitched together. The embroidery is an intricate cross stitch pattern...It was used (probably for several generals of children) and is a bit dirty...no rips no tears.

This brightly colored child's hat is Dong ethnic minority. The front is decorated with 9 silver Buddha ornaments and lots of intricate embroidery. Tassels and pompoms decorate the sides and silver bells with fish ornaments across the back protect the child from the approach of evil spirits.

This textile wallet would have been used to keep sewing supplies Each page is made from heavy hand paper, hand painted decoration and folded in such a way that numerous pockets and flaps are available for storage of small bits of fabric, snipes of thread, needles, etc. the outside of the wallet is covered with homespun fabric which now attests to the age and use of the piece. This wallet is from the Dong ethnic minority of China, and would have been passed down from one generation to another...

This Chinese Door of Hope doll, along with several others, was brought back to the US during the 1920's by the American Baptist Missionary, Rebecca Cloud-Stewart. On one of her many trips back to the US to visit family and friends, she brought the collection of dolls as samples to sell and raise money for the Door of Hope orphanage. After many years in China, Miss Stewart returned permenently to her home in Georgia. During the 1940's and 50's, she would often go to the local schools, lecturing a...

This charming adult female Door of Hope doll is 11 inches tall. Her face is somewhat darkened with age and the lower fronts of her trouser legs are faded from sunlight. She has all of her original clothing layers. Her top tunic is a bit dirty in the front and has a small tear at the rear of the right sleeve. Yet, even with these "condition problems" she retains the quiet beauty which has made the door of hope dolls such a collectors treasure.

These 8 old Ivory napkin rings may have originally been made for tourist souvenirs. They have hand painted/dyed images of landscapes boats ets...Each has a different Chinese calligraphy saying of well wishing... priceing $80 purchasers choice of any 2

This antique Chinese civil rank badge has the golden goose representing 4th rank. Embroidered using brick stitch this badge is has a fret background,key border and is decorated with bats, turtles and flowers. Curiously the sun is missing but the badge is old and still has the remnants of a few threads which were used to sew it to the front of the robe. The badge has traditional blue silk lining and is in excellent condition. This badge was brought back from China by Rebecca Cloud-Stewart Mi...

According to the writing on the back, this small embroidered pencil holder in was made in 1897 by a Mrs Lee for M.J. Thomas who was a member of the Chinese Chicago Mission group. The embroidery stitches are tiny and some of the threads are frayed but it is a warm memento of friendship and an artifact from another era in relations between China and the US.