Catalog (603)

Cocks and dragons are the predominate design elements of this colorful antique Japanese obi... Family crest of golden thread on the end. Heavy silk brocade, in beautiful condition

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 antique Japanese Marquetry box is a good example of the meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail that marked the Japanese Meiji Period. The sides of the lid have scalloped opening which ease the removal opening of the box which was probably designed for glove storage. 10.5 x 3.5 x 3.75 inches

This intricate floral embroidery panel may have been part of a larger piece which probably predates the carved frame that now houses the panel. The background silk is a rich dark brown and the ornate floral display can be positioned either horizontally or vertically. During the framing process, sometime between 1900-1920, The fragment was glued to a cardboard backing...where it remains today... 10.5 inches x 23 inches includes frame

Set of 3 Meiji Kanzashi, Japanese hair pin sticks, have deep black lacquer background with ornate swirls of red and black lacquer and inlays of abalone shells. 1 stick is 9 inches long 2 sticks are 7.75 inches long

Though the traditional practice of Tibetan "sky burial" is well known. But in some areas of Tibet the Buddhist practice of cremation is also used for some individuals, and The ashes are placed in a box made specifically for that purpose. This cremation box dates to the 18th century and has carved line decoration on the sides... It is made so that the top is keyed to the bottom and slides open from one end. Although the slide still works, with age etc, the top and bottom have warped so tha...

this matching pair of Turkomen Yomud tent bags, aka chuval, are out of my private collection...beautiful condition Sumak weave on bag faces plain woven canvas backs 39 x 17 inches (not including fringe)

These 3 collars were originally the collar portion and were sewn to a lower section to forming a child's pinafore... Home spun yarns intricately hand woven with hand embroidered details... sold either separately or together as a collection

This rare antique bag was made and used by the Yi ethnic minority... It was made from hand corded plant fiber,tied into a series of knots to form a shallow sack. Originally there would have been a fabric shoulder strap which would have been tied around the loops on either side of the top of the bag... The front of the bag is decorated with a traditional silver ornament depicting a butterfly. The bag is in tact: no holes, or rips but is dirty from use and age....

In some regions of China, women made separate pairs of heels for their lotus shoes. That way, the heels could be worn with different pairs of lotus shoes, depending on the occasion, or mood. The heels had loops for straps which were used to tie the heels into place on the shoe...

Out of Mongolia, this old leather tobacco pouch was made with a large button for hanging, long leather tassels, home made interesting decorative leather ornamentation...and hanging hook for removing old tobacco from pipe... Clearly old and well used: the leather is still playable. Great example of ethnographic folk art

Tradition Lotus shaped Chinese silk pillow Fret pattern Embroidered background with dragons and other creatures using both satin stitch and couching with gold metallic covered thread.... Some fading and some wear around the edge... roughly 8 x 14 inches A note on displaying textiles… When framing Chinese textiles….do not allow your framer to glue the textile to any kind of backing board… Instead have the textile basted (sewn) to a piece of complimentary background fabric…and the...

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.

Old wooden Phurba...nicely aged patina from handling and use... Faces topped with diadems, 3 side "blade"section has carved scroll design almost 11 inches long high. Alternative spelling...phurpa,phurbha, Pronunciation: Fur-bah The Phurba is a special triple sided Tibetan ritual dagger or stake, patterned after an ancient Vedic tool. Originated as a stake that tethered sacrificial animals. It is used ritually to create stability and areas of protected space, often staked into the gro...

This pair of black silk lotus shoes date to the late Qing Dynasty. Back then, a woman's job was to make shoes for the members of her family. This woman was from a financially comfortable family with servants to do other household chores. Making this pair for herself, she choose a black silk satin fabric for the vamp and made an elegantly sloping sole which would accommodate separate inter changeable heels to be attached. She did very fine needlework on the floral embroidery on each side o...

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 embroidery panel was originally the front bodice of a dress...Hand embroidered over several layers of heavy fabric and using mirrors and silver and gold metallic threads...this dress bodice was a show piece probably used only for important occasions i.e. weddings etc. Very ornately embroidered, this panel measures 19 x 22 inches. the picture of the back side of the bodice indicates serious wear and age...

This Miao woman's jacket has hand embroiled detail collar, front lapel, and sleeve bands...background fabric of the body of the jacket feels like rayon but maybe silk...sleeves are heavy cotton... there is small hole 1/2 inch (looks like cigarette) on the back left side roughly 2-3 inches from hem... this jacket will fit a small woman... this style of woman's jacket is from the shidong area of Tia jiang. see drawing on page 55 According to the book "Clothing and Ornaments of China's Miao...