Catalog (173)

This pair of Chinese lotus shoes, aka bound feet shoes, have a soft golden color silk vamp. Each side of the shoes is embroidered with the same pattern, and uses satin stitch silk thread.

The embroidery pattern on these lotus shoes has always mystified me. There is a woman and an animal that is possibly intended to be a giraffe. I vaguely remember some bits of information. The Chinese first heard about the African giraffes from verbal and written descriptions. They were fascinated wit...

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. Condition considered good...intricate batik work, original silver buttons,hand embroidered detailing around collar,front closure,sleeve and bottom borders... wonderful display item...

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 hat would have been worn by a child and probably made and embroidered by a grandparent. This hat is old and has unusual silver ornaments in the front. Condition is pristine with the exception that the large round silver ornament decoration is missing 2 small prongs, and the silk ribbon bordering the extension of the wind cover for protecting the back of the childs neck also has some deterioration areas.

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.

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 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...

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.

This blouse is from Thailand and made for use by a Karen Hilltribe woman. First the fabric was hand woven from cotton fibers. Next the surface was lower half was elaborately decorated with cotton thread embroidery and tiny sea urchin shells using a geometric pattern. Then it was whip stitched into the form of a blouse using white cotton thread. This garment makes a wonderful display piece and can also be worn for special occassions. 23 inches across and 27 inches long.

This antique Japanese small drawstring fisherman's bag is woven from hand rolled cording using indigenous natural plant fibers. It would be used for carrying home the catch at the end of day. The bag shows some areas of staining and one small area near the bottom where a few fiber cords have split. these condition areas are to be expected of a folk art item of this age and use. ,,,,,

the bag is roughly 10 x 12 inches and has a generous amount of cording for adjustable straps.

Antique Chinese summer court hat complete with red silk tassels which extend down from the finial to cover the hat. Officials would use their "court" hat for non-formal ceremonies or daily businesses. The finial would be added to the hat during formal court ceremonies held by the Emperor. This translucent blue finial indicates that the owner was a third rank official. condition...not good...silk exterior is very dirty...the rim is worn and damaged and the interior wool faded and has a few ...

This Chinese Jacket from Yunnan Province, was part of the traditional Yao Ethnic Minory costume. Approx 50 years old this textile is handwoven from indigenous plant fiber. The fibers are supposed to "last forever" so jacket will "never show used"...The thread used for hand embroidery (mostly using cross stitch technique) appears to be cotton. Jacket would be worn open, the silver buttons are intended for decoration only. I also have the matching pants for the jacket, which also "live forever"...

This headdress would have been worn by a young Pashtun woman. It is heavily beaded and decorated with wonderful embroidery, and various buttons and coins. The Pashtun range across Afghanistan, Pakistan and Northern India. This hat was sourced in India but it may not have started there.

The head dress hat is 25 inches long and is in excellent condition.

Rare old Shui ethnic minority baby carrier is from Gui Zhou province China. The upper section is elaborately embroidered using mostly satin stitch technique. The lower section is embroidered with horsehair wrapped thread design. Although this carrier shows extensive use, and shows a bit of dirt, it retains its beauty. Measures approx 20" x 36"

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.

This 19th Century traditional Han Chinese robe would have been used for winter wear. It uses dark black satin weave silk fabric, and has very wide cuffs with floral embroidery and the shape is trimmed out with a floral silk ribbon. The coat has its original buttons and fabric loop closures...and has original lining. Excellent condition

Traditional Manchu style Qing Dynasty embroidered silk vest..Original drop buttons and loop closures... stunning ...fits small woman...a few hard to find light stains.

Yes, contrary to Western myths, lotus shoes were worn by all classes of Han Chinese women.... This pair of Chinese peasants lotus shoes were made from scraps of blue indigo dyed cotton fabric Clearly they were well worn, which is part of the reason that peasant shoes are rare... They are from the southern part of China...just under 5 inches...