Catalog (603)

This antique Mongolian belt evokes the image of Mongolian horseman galloping across the plains... The chain is heavily patinated from age and use. The deeply doomed central medallion retains the original stained dark finish and highlighted gold (unknown source) on the border and central decoration. This piece is heavy... the central medallion is 6+ inches across,3.5 inches wide, and 3+ inches deep.

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 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.

Really nice Meiji period wooden Japanese woman's box with drawers and locking cabinet section (sorry no key). Box has parquet decoration on all exterior surfaces, and original hardware. 12.5 inches wide 10 inches high and 9 inches deep...

These 3 Japanese porcelain cups and saucers were hand painted with a delicate landscape scene. They are the matching set to the previously listed Japanese chocolate pot dealers number J157 or troc #1008113. Thought the set was made for chocolate, it can easily be used for tea.

This small old Chinese wood sculpture of a mounted horseman is probably of famous warrior or legendary character. Carved from wood and painted the horse and rider are fixed to the original wooden stand. Original paint with some loss and one arm missing. 6 inches high including stand and a charming artifact of centuries past.

This pair of antique Miao boots were made by a young woman from Song Tao to be worn for festivals. The thick sole has iron hob nails to make walking easier on the hills and terraces. The vamp is made from cotton fabric and is heavily embroidered with cottton thread using satin and chain stitch techniques. The upper part of the boot is also made of cotton fabric.

Probably used once and then packed away for another generation, this vintage silk traditional sari from Varanasi is a vibrant as the day it was loomed. A small leaf pattern of gold metallic thread dots the entire length of the deep green silk field. There is a 2 inch brocaded border on each side which also runs the length of the sari. The end panel is ornately patterned brocaded silk and makes extensive use of gold metallic threads. Throughout India, Varanasi sari are highly prized as wedd...

This stunning large necklace has multi stands of red/orange and black beads. The outside strands are decorated with a few small bronze bell forms and separated with cast bronze separators. This necklace is from Cameroon Africa. The natural fiber cording ends are woven together and topped on one side with a shell and on the other side with a loop...together forming a clasp...very similar construction to necklaces out of Nepal

This Japanese red lacquered wooden serving platter or tray is 13 inches in diameter. It is carved as a bream, which is the Japanese fish symbol for the "bounty of the sea". There are several layers of different colors of red lacquer which heighten the fluid appearence of the fish. The surface is slightly dulled with use and age, the charger is in wonderful condition.

This antique Chinese lotus shaped serving tray is elaborately inlayed with Mother of Pearl. The MOP design covers the surface of the tray and also goes about the exterior face of the narrow rim. Wood is most likely ebony and tray dates from mid 18th century.

Condition: All the MOP inlay is intact but there are numerous tiny nicks and chips in the surface finish on the inside and outside edges of the rim surround. Most of these nicks can only be seen when the edges are caught in a specific ligh...

This is a charming traditional Chinese child's "wind hat" so called because of the protection the hat gives to the back of the neck. The silk threads of the satin stitched embroidery depict lots of flowers and butterflies. Hat is in good condition

This ancient "Boat Money", also called Lat money, is similar to Tiger Tongues and from the same area: Lan Chang Kingdom of Southeast Asia (Thailand & Laos today, back then Siam). Instead of the bumps seen on Tiger Tongues, boat money has a depression in the top and looks more like a boat, hence the name. Boat money was first issued in the 16th century. In 1707, Lan Chang divided into the two kingdoms of Luang Prabang and Vientiane. Both adopted the lat currency and continued to issue such in...

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...

This assortment of cosmetic brushes along with the small container was originally part of a large cosmetic set which would have been commissioned for the a wealthy Japanese bridal trousseaux. Many layers of the rich black roiro-nuri lacquer was applied and polished to achieve the deep lusterious tone. The brushes are accented with a 2 and 3 tone golden floral motif. None of the brushes show any signs of use. Though such sets were common among high-born Japanese women of the Edo and Meiji p...

This antique Chinese glass bead was used as a toggle during the 1800's. I measures 1.25 inches in diameter.

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

22 inches long and a century of hard use but the tip is clean and sharp. I suspect a skilled carpenter could still use this old Chinese drill to build a cabinet or post and beam house. Personally, I am so thankful for electrical tools.

This Japanese 3 panel screen has carved wood frame and lower panels. The upper panels have decoration of carved birds, and eagle and fauna carved from either died bone or natural colored shell. The hinges are double swing so that the panels can be arranged in various positions... opened out the screen is 17 inches across and 14 inches high.

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...

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.

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 ...

These were made by a doting Chinese grandmother in the early 1900's...Absolutely charming set of matching hat and shoes for young child with lots of intricate embroidery details. I will not break up this set....

This old Chinese container would have been used by a poor farmer or fisherman to carry his lunch, and tea while he was off working for the day. The main container has 2 sections and there is an additional rimmed tray which fits just inside below the tightly fitted lid. All 3 pieces are made from very tightly woven from 2 different types of plant materials.

Roughly 9 inches x 9 inches x 4 inches, with a richly patinated surface, this container is a wonderful ethnographic artifact from anot...

For women of indigenous cultures, sewing needles were often hard to come by and considered valuable tools. Commonly, among such groups, cases were specifically designed to protect and safeguard the sewing. This particular antique silver needle case is from the Chinese Miao ethnic minority group and would have been worn by the women as a decorative costume ornament during festival.

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....

Toward the late Qing and early Republic periods, footbinding in urban centers became less common. But women were still concerned with fashionable footwear. This pair of beaded strips are actually shoes parts which would have been sewn with other matching beaded fabric parts to form a pair of beaded shoes

This traditional tribal comb would be worn for festival by Yao ethnic minority woman of Southern China. The comb was carved from sections of bone which are held together with a twining technique. The bone sections are tatooed with traditional Yao design pattern. The comb alone is 5.5 inches long and 3 inches wide. The combined length with the pompom and tassels is almost 12 inches long.

This deep blue Japanese cloisonne vase is decorated with 4 panels. Two of the panels have a dragon against a rust colored goldstone background. The other 2 panels have a bird against a dark green goldstone background.

Vase is in very good condition, no chips, no dents, and no losses.

Used as a "top coat" by a Han Chinese person. Lush black satin weave silk fabric, ornate frog closures, original matching streamers, wide embroidered sleeve panels using metalic covered thread and couching technique. Pristine condition... seal from Chinese Gov agency certifies age to be 100+ years...I bought in China in the late 90's

These geta (shoes) were worn by a girl or young Japanese woman. Build up from several layers of materials, the felted soles have slits to allow access for the changing of thongs should they become soiled or worn. Small pieces of leather nailed are the heels. The upper fabric liner is made from two pieces of contrasting fabric sewn together and show a small amount of dirt and an almost imperceivable foot imprint about the toe area. Presumably this pair would have been reserved for inside hous...

This small hand painted picture on cloth, called a Tsakli was used for Buddhist religious instruction and rituals in Tibet. The back of the card has Tibetan writing...Obvious condition issues...This card and others listed on this site were all antique cards when they were brought out of Tibet in the 60's...card is 3 x 3.5 inches

Charming eggshell thin hand-painted scenic porcelain in excellent condition..makers mark on bottom of both cup and saucer

This antique document case would be used to house and transport important documents. The high quality silver decoration of vines and flowers uses both pierced and repousse techniques. The curious emblem displays a spade, heart, club and diamond. Originally owned by a wealthy family, it is from what was considered northern India, (possibly now Pakistan), during the Raj period, before partition. This document case has been held in a private collection for many years.

The case is in excellan...

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 small hand painted picture on cloth, called a Tsakli was used for Buddhist religious instruction and rituals in Tibet. The back of the card has Tibetan writing...Obvious condition issues...This card and others listed on this site were all antique cards when they were brought out of Tibet in the 60's...roughly 3.75 x 3.5 inches