Catalog: Antiques (488)

Lovely old pair of matching Tibetan tea bowls. Carved from burl wood with silver/metal decoration around the foot and silver liner inside the bowls. bowls are roughly 2 inches high and 3.75 inches diameter across the rimmed bowl

the woman of many Chinese Ethnic Minority groups did not cut their hair. It was often worn on the top of the head in a bun,and sometimes intertwined with lengths of an ancestors hair for added protection from evil spirits.

The hair was often (especially for festivals) decorated with added silver ornaments and/or hairpins.

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

Obvious hand carved, this antique Sarinda is missing the tuning pegs, and the animal skin covering...wonderful patina...This is rare collectors ethnographic piece, and looks great hanging on a wall.

24 x 9 x 7 inches...hand carved from one solid piece of wood.

The "Sarinda" musical instrument was used for centuries in various countries in Central Asia, primarily in Rajasthan (Northern India), Pakistan, Nepal, Afghanistan, and Baluchistan...

This antique traditional Chinese pocket size opium scale comes in its original wooden case. Dating to the Qing Dynasty, the case contains all the original implements needed to weight gold and other precious metals and/or opium: a brass pan, a weight, and an ivory balance beam marked with 2 different weight calibration gauges. The wood case measures roughly 7 inches long and the ivory beam is 6 inches long.

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.

This old Chinese Ethnic Minority inro is carved from animal horn and has 2 compartments. Each side is carved with a floral motif that is bordered with a key design. These symbols are especially meaningful to the Miao ethnic culture. The inro was worn suspended from the belt by a braided cord. It is a attractive ethnographic relic for the tribal arts collector. Condition is very good and the piece measures approximately 3.5" X 2

Nicely aged patinated Japanese old ivory letter opener or possibly a page turner with carved and dyed lizard making its way up the handle. The piece is 9.5 inches long and .5 inches wide. It is slightly doomed across the width and the "blade" section is sharpened on one side... Really a lovely piece.

This large Chinese scale has metal balance beams and shallow metal bowls. The scale fits into an ornately carved red and black lacquer wooden case which is slightly domed and has its original copper band closure. There is some wood chip loss around what was the hole for the string which allowed the case to be hung up for storage. Dating from the 1800's the braided cords which attach the shallow bowls to the metal balance beam appear to be replacement cords...

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

This unusual small triangular shaped snuff bottle 2 of the 3 sides of the piece have carefully repouse Tibetan symbols..no makers marks...a few tiny dents ...no loss. It was brought back from Tibet by a man who went on a long walkabout from Istanbul to Tibet back in the late 60's...China was not open at the time...and Tibet ..he traveled with a backpack,limited space,few small momentoes and he was picky...old pieces only... bottle is approx 1.75 inches high

This tiny antique knife from the late Qing Dynasty has a wooden handle and fits into its shagreen covered scabbard...Clearly it was originally hung on a chain ...A scant 4 inches in total.

During the Qing Dynasty, Chinese court gentlemen and ladies used elaborate hair styles. To assist in these construction of the "hairdo's", they used a wire form was covered with a mesh fabric. This particular "cap" was used to cover a bun of hair on the center of the head. The silver flat "hairpin" was used to hold the cap in place by pushing it through one side hole, between the hair bun and the scalp and through the other side hole. The inside of the cape clearly shows its age and use.

This set of old Chinese bookmarks was sent home to the US by Baptist Missionary Rebecca Cloud-Stewart... Each bookmark has original string and is made with embossed paper with silver surround on image of rural China.... set comes with Original Paper cover very good condition...never used... size 6.5 x 2 inches the ties are not included in the measurements

This antique traditional tribal dagger was made and used by the Manding people who are indigenous to the Western Sudan region of Africa. The dagger is 10 inches long and has a leather covered pommel. The blade is dulled and rusted with a small bend at the tip. The original matching scabbard has traditionally woven worked leather decoration with belt loop and tassel.

These 6 antique Chinese needlework implements were brought to the US by the American Baptist missionary Rebecca Cloud-Stewart. They range in size from 3-6 inches long...

This Tibetan shrine shaped gau (aka prayer box) is actually a religious shrine. When not being worn as an ornament during festivals, it would be kept in the prayer niche of the family home. The back of the box slides open. Frequently, a special prayer i.e. sutra pages would be placed inside. The small glass window at the front displays a Tsa tsa, which is a clay statue of a Buddhist Diety. These statues were made only by the monks and considered to be a holy relic...

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