Catalog (603)

There are a total of eight different signs, each with a different "saying" having to do with well wishes. Each "plaque" sign has a different saying...due to the age of the calligraphy, translations have not been possible.

Each sign inlayed with MOP flakes and is 21 inches tall and roughly 4.5 inches wide. I have listed them separately, to allow for pictures of each

During the Qing Dynasty, the feathers of the kingfisher bird were used to create ornaments for woman to attach to clothing and/or wear in their hair... Through the 1800's These ornaments were made and formed with heavy paper (light weight cardboard...) They had large areas of feathers and the edges of the paper form were bordered with gold paint...and the ornaments were often domed By the early 1900's the bird were becoming rare almost extinct ...so intricate and smaller sections of fea...

According to traditional Chinese culture, shoes were considered to be a symbol of good luck, and shoes and a gift of token shoes would have been given as a sign of well wishing.

This tiny pair of wooden shoes are meticulously carved, with pierced work on both sides and the soles of each shoe...scarcely 2 inches long...excellant condition

This Japanese Meiji period 6 sided porcelain chocolate pot was made for export to the Western markets. The chocolate pot has a lovely traditional Japanese scene which was hand painted, with bits of moriage detail. Excellent condition, no chips, no cracks, pot is 9.5 inches tall. There are 3 matching cups and saucers will be listed separately.

Dated by McKinley Tariff Act requiring name of country of origin to be permanently engraved (stamped) or imprinted into a piece.

This small wooden box has a charming scene with 2 happy dragons carved into the sliding top. All 4 sides are carved. Late Qing period, box is in good condition, and measures 5" x 3" x 1.5

this antique pair of lotus embroidered lotus shoes are most likely from northern china. the vamp is a quilted cotton fabric. Each shoe is embroidered with the same floral design on both sides. The shoes were used and show some soiling on the vamp and the soles are slightly worn and dirty.

This antique Chinese hand carved wooden bobbin still has a length of home spun thread which winds around the middle. The bobbin shows extensive use, with some areas of paint and finish heavily patinated and other areas just worn away.

This is a charming stoneware Japanese bowl censor from 1750. It fits perfectly into the hand carved wooden stand which was probably made for the incense burner around 1900. There are no makers marks on either the bowl on the stand for identification. Covered with a thick matte gray white glaze with iron flecks and decorated solely with 3 button tabs below the rim, the censor is a wonderful early example of Japanese mingei stoneware ceramics.

This antique small iron mortar fits easily into the closed hand was used for grinding medicinal herbs. The pestle is attached with a hand made chain. Sourced from Maharasha, India...great aged patina.

The Zhuang are one of the larger of the Chinese Ethnic Minority groups. This is a rare old baby carrier from Yunnan Province. Because silk was not readily available in the rural areas, the use of silk as the background fabric indicates that this carrier came from a wealthy family. The central panel uses several colors of fabric appliqued into a large stylized lotus flower. Silk thread is used for the delicate satin stitched embroidery of butterflies and flowers. The upper border uses multip...

During is height of popularity in the Qing Dynasty, when one went to the opera, souvenir dolls were often purchased. This pair of Chinese opera dolls is probably the oldest that I have seen. Both dolls are in fragile condition. They are mounted on separate stands which may be of the same age as the dolls. They have been together for over 100 years and I am not willing to separate them

Japanese Lady's Dressing Box Meiji Period. The front and lid are decorated with wood marquetry inlays.The doors have inlays of MOP and assorted stones depicting birds etc. Lots of drawers, original hardware..(sorry, no key) box is 17 x 14 x 7 inches. back and sides are painted black

This long home spun background heavy cotton fabric is appliqued with embroideries salvaged from a very Dong minority old Jacket... the corner are accented with long beaded tassels... At great for table runner or shoulder scarf... Roughly point to point 73 inches long and 15.5 inches wide

This is a charming old cloisonne teapot from the later part of the Qing Dynasty in China. During this time period the traditions and culture of tea making and drinking had evolved to include the appreciation of tea articles as art objects in addition to their utilitarian purposes. This well crafted miniture teapot would have been sought after for its sculptural form.

Each side of the body of the teapot has a different floral motif with a background pattern of clouds traditional Ruyi. The h...

This ingenious antique Chinese pillow expands and contracts so it can be used as either a double and single pillows. The wooden ends have hand carved floral decoration. The head rest areas are bamboo and the individual rails are wooden. As expected,there are a few nicks to the finish which are consistent with a 100 yrs plus daily use item.

This unusual Japanese lacquer clam shell is from Wakasa, a center for exceptional lacquer craftsmanship which began during the Edo period. At that time the lacquerers of the Obama clan, near Wakasa Bay, began decorating their work with designs depicting elements of the ocean floor, For techniques, the Wakasa craftsmen developed a process of repeated lacquer coatings of several colors and rubbing down the lacquer coated surface. This process produced a random decorative pattern. The clam shell s...

This Korean antique is a hand carved woodblock which would have been used to print a repeating decorative design pattern onto a textile. It is very old, and well worn with great patina.

This is the second of 4 small individual antique Chinese carvings which I am listing separately. I had always assumed them to be 4 of the eight immortals but upon close inspection, I am now not sure which gods, ancestors or legends they represent. Each character stands with its own faithful foo type dog and carries an implement of some kind. Each has a peg on the bottom which fits into the own homemade stand. This character stands 5.75 inches x 3 inches wide and 1 inch thick. The stand adds ...

By the latter part of the 19th century the ruling Qings were obsessed with every last detail of dress. This antique top grain leather fan case could only have been owned by very wealthy Chinese woman.

Nice old traditional Chinese opium scale with travel case. The measuring stick is ivory and marked to indicate weights. Approximately 13 inches long, this piece is obviously old and shows signs of use but is in good condition.

This traditional embroidered vest was made and worn by the woman of the Miao minority culture living in the Ge Jia region of China generations ago. The textile fabric was hand woven with a specific thread count to allow for the geometric embroidery pattern which was added later.

Animal horns carved and shaped this way were used by herders and farmers to give a sick animal liquid medicine. This yak horn was bought in China but was probably made used the Tibetans. Judging from its size, this horn is from a mature (older) Yak...The tip is carved into a delicate animal head ...there are a few surface growth stress cracks on the under side which would be common for a large older animal. horn from tip to end is 11 inches and has good translucence

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...

During the Qing Dynasty, Chinese court gentlemen and ladies used elaborate hair styles. To assist in these construction of the "hairdo's", they used a wire form was covered with a mesh fabric. This particular "cap" was used to cover a bun of hair on the center of the head. The silver flat "hairpin" was used to hold the cap in place by pushing it through one side hole, between the hair bun and the scalp and through the other side hole. The inside of the cape clearly shows its age and use.

This set of 3 dolls court dolls are each mounted on their original matching stands. Wonderful carved wooden faces with gofun finish. The hands and feet are also carved from wood. A charming set...each doll with the stand is about 6 inches tall.

This hollow silver anklet is from the Nuristani area of Afghanistan. With the loose metal rattle rolling inside the hollow space, a soft noise was created as the wearer moves. This anklet has nice patina and has a few minor dents, which attest to the age and travels of the artifact.

This is a traditional Antique Coptic Christian scroll from the Oromo people of Ethiopia. Painted on Vellum (processed animal skin) and using a special black and red ink, the text is in the now extinct language of Ge'ez, which was originally used for religious purposes. Kitabe scrolls were often placed in a leather case and were carried as amulet. Unfortunately, this one does not have the carrying case...and some ink loss presumably from water exposure. It is full length...roughly 4 i...

This plain pot metal vessel was used to contain hair oil during the reign of Chinese Emperor Daoquang about 1850. Standing about 6 inches high and 3.5 inches diameter at the widest point, a woman would dip her comb into the oil before combing her hair. I do have an identical matched pair of these but am selling them separately.

Two Standing Ladies in Waiting for palace display and one lady seated for tea service. Standing ladies are 5.5 inches tall and the one seated is 3.5 tall

From the Yi ethnic minority group, this antique Chinese container would have been used to store tobacco. The decorative cinnabar paint color draws attention to the gentle dome shapes of the lid and bottom sections, which fit together with a deep overlap. The worn areas of the cinnabar expose the black lacquer undercoat. As a folk art object, this tobacco container combines both the pleasing aesthetic craftsmanship and utilitarian need which shaped the daily lives of many indigenous ethnic gro...

This is one of a pair of wooden (not papermache) chinoiserie footed plates made for export. The central medallion Japanese scene is classic and the rim has ornate panels of individual woman in various poises. Each side has handle shaped and painted as an ivy leaf.

On the black lacquered back is the rement of a very old label. Plate is 10.75 inches at the widest point. Sourced from an old estate in the US, Chinoiserie of this detail and quality are rare, probably Edo Period between 1840-185...

Very rare, this oceanic artifact was brought back by from New Guinea by a pilot sometime in the 1950's. The dog teeth and boar tusks are held together by hand twisted stings woven and interlaced tightly around the widest ends.

This set of 4 matching Chinese toggles were hand carved from animal bone, probably the vertebra. Each side is carved with an identical design which continues around the side. They are well aged and show both wear and usage. As artifacts from the folk art culture, they were probably carved by the person who intended to use them to secure his personal items. Each piece is approx 1 inch in diameter and .5 inches thick.

This is woodblock is carved on both sides so that it was used to print 2 different pages of a Tibetan Sutra book. ...Age and use are obvious and there are a few nicks and bruises but no serious loss... A true ethnographic relic measures 14 inches x 3 inches x 7/8th inch...

Diameter approximately 2.75 inches, this antique chinese mirror may have originally had silvered surface on reflective side...brought to the US 1920-1930 by missionary Rebecca Cloud-Stewart..deterioration of metal surfaces as expected.

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

Small embroidery with central floral motif using seed stitch, on traditional dark blue silk fabric. May have been used on garment as inside pocket. Approx 6.5 inches on each side.

This antique Chinese cribbage board has bone possibly ivory insets for scoring and additional small carved insets for added decoration on a wooden board richly carved with ornate fauna decoration...evidence of 4 legs (missing) on the underside of the board

Antique matching pair of bracelets, decorated with wonderful granulation work. The intricate post section has tiny "jewels". interior (around wrist) measures app 7.5 inches 7/8 inches high...not including clasp posts .5 inches thick One side of the post twists open to allow for easy on and off...I prefer to sell as pair...but will sell separately... $325 for the pair...or $175 each

This antique pair of spectacles folds into the space of a single eyeglass for easy carrying. Lacking ear pieces, they rest on the nose, hence the name pince nez. The rims are tortoise shell.

This old Chinese child's cloud collar was hand sewn by a proud Miao Ethnic Minority grandmother. The ornate embroidery stitching includes applique and daiz which is misnamed the forbidden stitch by Westerners. The collar is in excellant condition and is 9.5 inches in diameter

This wonderful Edo period antique Japanese tobacco box is made of wood and covered with lacquer which is now seriously aged. In the middle of the lid is small sculptured detail. The box has the original cord and horn tip toggle, and still contains tobacco. Circa 1860's this box is 4.5" x 2.5" x 3" high. It is truly a piece of old ethnographic folk art from Japan's Edo period.

This small Chinese hand made purse would have been made by a woman for her personal use or possibly as a gift to a female friend. It was made using cotton background fabric and hand embroidered with silk thread on each side. The butterfly and floral motifs were made with silk thread using a combination of satin stitches, chain stitches and couching embroidery techniques.

It is a charming example of a Chinese woman's needlework and is in excellent condition. Each side opens separately and me...

This antique pipe has burl wood bowl with silver filling (one ring missing) and a horn mouthpiece which has obviously been well used. There are a few short residual threads from what was probably originally a tassel. It is a wonderful ethnographic relic of folk art.

This round inkstone was carved out of a naturally occurring layered stone...both the bottom and cover viewed from the side show the striation of the stone.The covered has a pond design etched with raised koi fish. It is really lovely. The inkstone is just over 4 inches in diameter and .8 inches in height.

This old pair of Chinese shoes were made for a small child. Appliqued onto the red cotton background fabric are bits of trim and cotton fabric which give the appearance of a cats face. Gold thread is used in a couching embroidery stitch for the design on the both sides of each shoe.

This ornately hand carved hard wooden frame comes with antique Chines lithograph of the summer palace. The frame is approx 8.5 x 13 inches...

This shoulder bag was made and used by the Hmoung women of northern Thailand. It would carry all the traditional items which would have been commonly found in a woman's purse. The bag fabric was hand loomed from the indigenous plants and then embroidered using traditional cross-stitched with geometric patterns. Beads, silver ornaments and tiny pompoms are added for decorative enhancement of the bagface. This piece is in good condition.

This Many Westerners have been told that the Miao et...

Old Chinese hand carved wooden mask depicting legendary king of old China. Face was gessoed and polychrome painted. 15 inches x 14 inches wide and 6 inches deep. some areas of chipped and worn paint consistent with age

This old Chinese hand made carpenters tool would have been used as a snapline just as the western metal chalk box and line are used today. Such tools were often hand made and passed from father to son for generations. This particular one has a small antler for a plumbob.

This charming primer was published in 1933, and used throughout Japan for 2nd year students...some pages have a few hand written English translations. At the time when this book was used, Japanese kenji and Chinese calligraphy characters were very similar...over 100 pages many with artwork

This large Tea Caddy is made from a hollow Bamboo section. The cannister lid fits tightly in order to keep the tea fresh. This style caddy would have been used by a Chinese family of modest circumstances during the Qing Dynasty.

Great patina, darkened with age...a handsome piece that stands 10 inches high and 4 inches in diameter.

This beautiful antique short strand of beads would have been carried in the pocket and taken out for ritual religious prayer...2 spacer counter beads are honey amber and the 3rd is red coral...

From Ibaden, Nigeria this traditional Yoruba cloth was woven by the men of the village. It was worn tied around the waist of the woman, and used as a baby carrier. This piece was brought back from Africa in 1961. Hand loomed of cotton fibers, it has a wonderful soft color and texture. It measures 10" wide and 68" long including fringe.

He is charming...well detailed leaning on a pillows ...a few nicks and bruises to the finish as to be expected at this age...roughly 4 inches tall and 6 inches wide...

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...

Beautifully carved high quality inkstone with grinding surface and deep "inkwell". there is a tiny chip on right edge of the ink stone...see photo for scale measures roughly 6 x 3.5 x .9 inches

This apron is from the Huan Xi area and was part of the traditional Miao ethnic minority woman's festival costume. Made from home spun fibers,indigo dyed yarn, it is embroidered with tiny intricate cross stitch geometric design...the ties are also hand woven. The apron measures approx 17 x 17 inches and is in good condition...with a few very light stains which do not show on photo with enhancing...

Possibly made from an old kimono, this sweet drawstring purse charming painted and appliqued scenes of trees, rocks and flowers going around the body of the purse. The bottom shows a country gentleman sitting on a rock under a tree enjoying the mountain view. overall condition is very good, however the fabric sleeve for the drawstring is deteriorated. Purse measures 7" across bottom

This hand carved panel is from a Chinese Buddhist Temple erected around 1860. The panel is deeply carved with a scene which takes place at the foot of the sacred mountain. Bits of Mother of Pearl are inlaid into the mountain and is also used to highlight a few costume details.

This panel was used as an architectural element and has the mortise cuts in the top which were used to hold the panel in place. It is one of a pair of panels which were taken from the temple. The condition of this p...