Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art (482)

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.

this old wooden storage box was clearly made in a folk art tradition by or for a lower ranking individual, possibly a traveling scribe, or low ranking official. Fully opened, it has compartments for brushes, ink sticks, chops and seals, etc. The numerous splotches of old ink stains on the outside of the box indicate extensive use, under not the tidiest of circumstances. Sourced in southern China year back, it is the only box of this style that I have ever seen...

This 18th century Samurai stirrup has intricate overall floral pattern with inlaid silver wire which is somewhat obscured by tarnish. The raised footpad is red Lacquer and has wear mark in the toe area. There is a small break (and hole) in near the rim of the foot pad, which are commsurate with age and use of a Japanese warriors stirrup.

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

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 antique type of metal work was common in Nepal during the 1800's and into the early 1900's. The birds beak is carved from bone which is dyed to color. The "jewels" are colored glass i.e. enamel drops of orange, turquoise and dark brown. Beak to tail tip the bird measures 3.5 inches and stands 2 inches high. Very good condition with one "jewel" missing on the side.

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.

Young serene standing Buddha on elaborate lotus stand. Buddha shows wear to gilding from age and handling exposing black lacquer under coat. late Meiji 1900-1920 Buddha is 9 inches and stand adds another 2.5 for total height of 11.5 inches

Early Japanese version of today's carpenters tool called a "chalk box". Carved from a block of wood, the well would hold cotton saturated with charcoal ash...this one has original wheel and string and shows that it has been well used....

Tibetan woman wore their hair in long braids which were slipped into elaborately embroidered textile sleeves for festivals.

Clearly for a wealthy family, this small lamp was meant to be used as a personal light. The cat like figure has a filler hole between the ears, good weight (important for stability) and is silver in color, but exact metal content is not known...He/she is charming...4 inches x 3.5 inches wide and 1.5 inches deep...

I call him sweet face...a bit dirty with age... Japanese hina aka girls day doll from late Edo period. lost his drum..6inches high including hat

This traditional Chinese antique tea container was made from bamboo. The outside has a carved rib design and was lacquered black. This tea caddy would have been used regularly by family and friends during the Qing dynasty. The inside lid is stamped with the manufacturers information.

The tea caddy is 10 inches tall and shows patinated wear marks and chips in the lacquer surface which would be expected on a piece of this age.

Used by the bride for wedding this elaborate kingfisher feather crown is a very old and rare piece. The oldest kingfisher ornaments were made by glueing the feathers onto heavy paper. Metal wire was only used to attach pieces together. Both paper and the feathers are fragile, so not many of these old pieces have survived. This one is in average to good condition, some paper loss and some feather loss...

The black stone tile has mosaic inlay of mother of pearl Taj Mahal detailed with black pen ink lines. This Anglo Indian Victorian piece from the Raj era would have come from the Visagapatam region of India, which was known for its finely detailed black pen ink designs.

Pristine condition and very beautiful. Measured top to bottom and side to side 6 inches each way...measured point to point 6.5 inches

This pair of Japanese dolls was gifted to America official who was sent to Japan to help reestablish tea industry after the war. wonderful condition: total display is 30 inches across, 10 inches deep and 14.5 inches high. The double platform is 4.5 inches of the total height.

Sourced from southern China, this ethnic minority tobacco container has a hinged lid and "belt clip". I suspect that it is Yi minority.

This antique copper gau would have been kept in a prayer niche in the home and would be worn as an ornament for festival. In place of the Tsatsa (clay figure), there is a Tsakli. It was common practice to use a tsakli (small picture card) to represent the religious item which would be placed in the gau, when time and money became available. The original written talisman remains inside the gau also...