Catalog (173)

This Shui childs hat is very heavily and intricately embroidered using wrapped cotton thread. The base background blue and black fabric has a subtle pattern which takes extra care and attention while weaving on the loom. a series of silver ornamental "bubbles" further decorates the front lower border of the hat. Over 60 years old and in very good condition it will make a wonderful addition to any collection

This fan was made for export during the 1930's. Silk fabric with hand painted "city life" scene and support struts of black lacquer with ornate painted decoration.

This haori is made with a fabric of lush silk with subtle weave pattern design. In contrast, the silk lining has a bold floral design. This is one garment that can easily be worn with the "correct side" outside or inside out....

This is presumed to be central panel taken from 100 bird coat from the Bai Ling area. It has been bordered and backed by new fabric. The central panel is very tightly split-thread satin-stitched embroidery over a silk felted (non-woven) fabric. This piece is in pristine condition, and measures approximately 30" by 30"

Only a wealthy Chinese woman would have been able to own this rare antique silk headband. Decorating each side of the headband are mirror images of an ornament depicting a bird and using the prized Kingfisher bird feathers. Intergrated with each kingfisher bird ornament is a finely embroidered bird on a branch.

This small elaborate Buddhist monk's medicine bottle is sewn into a larger pouch of burgundy homespun wool fabric with yellow/gold silk lining. When worn, the stopper would be securely held in the bottle by a system of handmade cords and bands. The medicine bottle would be worn outside the robes and suspended on the Monk's belt. These were used for both travel and ceremonies.

Bamboo Vests were used as undershirts under silk garments. They served the duel purpose of allowing some air circulation and protected the silk garments from body oils. These vest were fragile and they have become very rare and hard to find. They were made with small pieces of bamboo which are literally strung together to form a garment. This bamboo vest is a particularly nice one. It was constructed of very small bamboo pieces, the edges of the garment are bound with a thin band of linen fab...

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...

This baby carrier is from the Miao ethnic minority of Qui Yang. Characteristic of the antique Miao baby carriers from this area, the surface decoration is composed of very tiny cross stitches which form geometric embroidery pattern which, to Western eyes, resemble snowflakes. Because of the time required to produce and the attractive appearance of this style baby carrier, they were used mostly for festivals and are now highly prized by both Westerners and Chinese.

This baby carriers is in ...

By the early 1900's, foot binding fell somewhat out of fashion with the upper social classes of Han Chinese women, especially in the north. With various degrees of success and a lot of pain, a few brave women chose to have their feet re-broken and reset into a more natural size and shape. This pair of boots belonged to one such woman.

Hand made using black silk fabric, and the old traditional methods, these boots are detail with embroidery on each side of the vamp with butterflies toward the...

This is a traditional style full length silk robe, aka Chapan, from Uzbekistan/Tajikistan area. The pattern was made using an ikat dye technique, and the robe is padded and machine quilted. Excellent condition, shows very little wear...stunning

This charming pair of old Chinese lotus shoes were made from a sturdy cotton fabric and embroidered with cotton thread. The lack of silk matterials would indicate that the maker/wearer was probably from a less afluent family. The soles indicate are well worn but the vamps are in very good condition.

This antique chinese hat would have been worn for festival by a Yi ethnic minority girl (woman) from the Honghe area. Worn for festival, the "cockssome cap" is elaborately decorated with faceted silver beads. Enlargement 5 shows cock hat as it would be worn. Hat comes with its own custom made stand.

The charming old tribal womans purse is heavily embroidered on each side and is decorated with mirrors and cowrie shells. Condition is very good, no rips, no tears, just beautifully faded vegetable dyes.

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 was the traditional jacket used by girls of the Yi Chinese ethnic Minority. Girls wore this style until they were married. This garment is small and was most likely worn by a child between 7-10 years old. It is sun faded and has an area of small drip stains on the lower back and is otherwise in good condition...No rips, no tears...2 traditional silver buttons

This is an old traditional style top shirt which would have been worn by a young girl of the Yi Chinese ethnic minority from Yunnan Province. the fabric is made from home grown cotton, hand spun, and hand woven. The collar surround and cuffs are trimmed with an intricate batik pattern and the tiniest embroidery stitched I have ever seen. The shirt has its original buttons. Good size for framing 14 inches across the chest.

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...