Catalog (344)

This rural Mongolian bucket is made from lemon wood and was used daily to draw water from the local village well. Truely an ethnographic relic with original iron fittings, and evidence of constant use and old repairs. It is both large and heavy. The diameter of the bucket is 18" and the bucket alone is 14" deep, add another 11" for the handle and iron toggle fitting. The weight is approx 15 lbs. Originally made about 250 yrs ago and probably used constantly for a couple of centuries.

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 Chinese wood carving from the Qing Dynasty portrays a seated nobleman. The surface is covered with remains of the original multi layers of lacquer paint. There are no marks on the bottom. Hand carved and only 4 inches high this is a charming piece of old folk art, an artifact from the glory days of old China.

This rare Qing Dynasty mirror folds flat for storage and traveling. The hand-carved wooden frame depicts bamboo stalks, and the mirror cover carving depicts an iris plant in full bloom. The cover drops forward and down thru the legs to the rear where it acts as a back support while the mirror is in use. Protected by a rear wood panel, the original silvered glass mirror does show its age. It can be easily replaced by sliding the rear wooden panel upward. The bottom of the front frame shows so...

This small hinged metal case is covered with leather and opens to display both red ink pot and personal ivory chop. The person's name on the base of the chop is clearly carved. Leather in old China was very expensive...the owner of this chop must been a person of both status and wealth. The leather shows age but is intact and set is in very good condition. The case measures 2.5" X 1+" This is a rare old piece.

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...

This antique Chinese silver bracelet is hinged at the back and opens in the front. The silver work displays plant leaves and a bird. The bead work is both coral and turquoise. Bracelet is stamped "China" which according to trade laws makes it late Qing, about 1890. Its in very good condition

This antique Chinese circular lidded container was made from a single valuable horn. It is a tribute to both the horn and the skill of the craftsman. Horn can be cut, and carved, but it is not a flexible material. According to my Chinese friends, the thinner and more translucent the horn, the more it is valued. The cross-section of an ox (buffalo)horn is oval, but a Yak horn is circular. This is a prized horn. Approx 4" high and 2.5" diameter.

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 ...

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 ...

This Korean brush would have been used for painting and/or large calligraphy. The handle is an old horn of rich brown tones and a soft matte patina from use. The bristles are long and soft and show some ink residue close to the ferrule. It is a wonderful brush to hold

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 lovely small woman's purse was made from silk satin fabric and embroidered with silk thread useing the satin stitch. The purse still has the original silk ribbon attached to the bottom, and belt loop attached at the top.

Leather products were rare and expensive during the Qing Dynasty in China. Fans were in common usage and a quality fan would have required a proper protective case. A wealthy woman could have afforded this suede fan case and would have considered it as the acceptable accessory to properly detail her finery.

The case is 9+ inches long with silk cord for drawstrings, elaborately knotted and tasseled.

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.

This antique lidded container was made for jewelry or other small household items. Obviously hand made, probably by the original owner, it does have a few surface nicks from age and use. With a 5 inch diameter and standing approx 4 inches high, it is a charming artifact of Chinese folk art.

Made from ox horn, and shaped into a perfectly balanced shoehorn, this antique Chinese folk art artifact serves in both form and function. There is a delicately carved design on the back. The handle part of the horn has eyes carved so that the piece takes the shape of an animal and there is a hole carved so that the shoehorn can be hung from a cord. I vaguely remember hearing that the Chinese inventing the shoehorn, but have not been able to verify this as historic fact.

Though sourced from northern China, this antique powder flask is most likely Chinese ethnic minority from the southern regions. There are 3 flasks for carrying gun powder. Used rifle cartridges are used both as stoppers and bullets are held in the shaped spacers between the powder flasks. It was made by shaping and then sewing 2 pieces of heavy leather (probably elephant hide)together.