Asian ethnic minority artifacts textiles, tribal arts, primitive Asian Ethnic Artifacts
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Indian Subcontinent : Himalayas : Pre 1920 item #716523 (stock #T119)
Asian Ethnic Artifacts
This elaborate beaded breastplate would have been worn for festivals by a wealthy Tibetan woman. The main section has 3 ornate silver and turquoise ornaments surrounded by a raised beaded coil which is bordered with cowrie shells. The neckline rolled and padded.

It is 13 inches across at the widest point and can be tied around the neck using the attached fabric ties. As is obvious in the pictures, there are a couple areas of lose on the turquoise ornaments.

All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Indian Subcontinent : Himalayas : Pre 1900 item #1377165 (stock #ZT204)
Asian Ethnic Artifacts
sold
This is woodblock is carved on both sides so that it was used to print 2 different pages of a Tibetan Sutra book. ...Age and use are obvious and there are a few nicks and bruises but no serious loss... A true ethnographic relic measures 14 inches x 3 inches x 7/8th inch...
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Indian Subcontinent : Himalayas : Pre 1900 item #1183697 (stock #T182)
Asian Ethnic Artifacts
This antique copper reposse gau houses a picture instead of a clay tsa tsa which was common for a family gau. when the family could afford to do so, the picture would be replaced by a clay tsatsa. Curiously, this gau also houses 2 amulets, which were typically provided by a monk. The paper is very old and I am told it is bad Karma to unfold the amulet...
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Indian Subcontinent : Himalayas : Pre 1920 item #1371130 (stock #T203)
Asian Ethnic Artifacts
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
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Indian Subcontinent : Himalayas : Pre 1900 item #1296812 (stock #T195)
Asian Ethnic Artifacts
$310.00
This old Tibetan pouch would have been worn for festival both for decoration and coins...it is not a flint strike...clearly it has been used (probably passed from generation to generation)...decorated with coral and turquoise...a few metal enhavcements are missiog...
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Indian Subcontinent : Himalayas : Pre 1900 item #904947 (stock #T145)
Asian Ethnic Artifacts
This face-sized antique mask of a shaman or Buddhist priest is from Tibet. The hand carving is both delicate and simple, with chisel marks showing on the back of the mask.
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Indian Subcontinent : Himalayas : Pre 1920 item #1029643 (stock #T152)
Asian Ethnic Artifacts
$550.00
The Tibetan leather flint pouch (aka strike a light) is properly known as a "mechag" (me = fire , chag = iron) or fire iron. This Tibetan flint pouch is decorated with ornate silver and bronze ornamentation with an inset red bead which appears to be a replacement for the original bead. The pouch would have been secured to the wears belt with the attached leather strap...
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Indian Subcontinent : Himalayas : Pre 1900 item #1310775 (stock #T198)
Asian Ethnic Artifacts
Lovely hinged old metal box with top depicting central figure of seated Quan Yin flanked with flying angels. All 4 sides of the box also have ornate filigree and stone work. Measures 7 x 3.5 x 1.25 inches. All metal work and stone work is intact but there are a few dents on the bottom of the box
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Indian Subcontinent : Himalayas : Pre 1800 item #1377163 (stock #T204)
Asian Ethnic Artifacts
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...
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Indian Subcontinent : Himalayas : Pre 1900 item #1406968 (stock #T)
Asian Ethnic Artifacts
$450.00
This Tibetan gau (aka prayer box) is actually a small 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 Deity. These statues were made only by the monks and considered to be a holy relic...
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Indian Subcontinent : Himalayas : Pre 1900 item #1238449 (stock #ZT187)
Asian Ethnic Artifacts
sold
This lovely antique bell is a traditional Ghanta, which is a Tibetan Buddhist ritual bell, sometimes called Dril, bu,and/or singing bell. Just over 6 inches tall, this Ghana is paired with the Dorje at the top of the handle, and the surface is decorated with an abundance of Tibetan symbols. This bell has the original clapper, has a lovely tone and beautiful patina. Bell is 6.5 inches (16.5 CM) tall

The Ghanta represents feminine power, wisdom, receptiveness, and the voice of the Buddha.

All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Indian Subcontinent : Himalayas : Pre 1900 item #1297975 (stock #T197)
Asian Ethnic Artifacts
Lovely antique copper pot with ornate reposse silver decoration from Tibet. Probably used for butter tea...Roughly 13 inches high...heavy gauge copper with a few minor surface dents commensurate with age...Rare and gorgeous
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Indian Subcontinent : Himalayas : Pre 1900 item #1266191 (stock #T191)
Asian Ethnic Artifacts
$115.00
This small hand painted picture on cloth, called a Tsakli was used for Buddhist religious instruction and rituals in Tibet. The back of the card has Tibetan writing...Obvious condition issues...This card and others listed on this site were all antique cards when they were brought out of Tibet in the 60's...roughly 3x 4 inches
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Indian Subcontinent : Himalayas : Pre 1920 item #1404229 (stock #ZT207)
Asian Ethnic Artifacts
sold
This woven Tibetan container would have been used to hold a pair of wooden tea bowls...there is an interior separator (removable) which allows for the separation of tea bowls. Hand made using plant materials (hemp) and rattan with leather closures Bowls would have been packed into container such as this when traveling... and from the condition of this one...it has traveled many times. The container is 6 inches diameter at the top and 4 inches high...well aged fair condition...
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Indian Subcontinent : Himalayas : Pre 1900 item #1098178 (stock #ZT170)
Asian Ethnic Artifacts
Sale Pending
This Buddhist figure was cast in bronze and sewn into a leather case. It would have been carried in a pocket or worn hanging about the neck by the leather thong...a personal amulet or talisman meant for protection. Good condition, 4 the case in 4 inches high and 3 inches across at the widest point.
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Indian Subcontinent : Himalayas : Pre 1920 item #931371 (stock #T149)
Asian Ethnic Artifacts
Price on Request
This short sword and matching scabbard from Bhutan is elaborately decorated. The knife handle or sword hilt has a leather cover which is detail with silver reposse and a coral bead. The wooden scabbard is covered with leather and is decorated with an elaborate silver reposse dragon. The knife blade is has a series of added symbols. The belt loop is also decorated with a series of silver objects...
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Indian Subcontinent : Himalayas : Pre 1910 item #1406975 (stock #T208)
Asian Ethnic Artifacts
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...
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Indian Subcontinent : Himalayas : Pre 1920 item #1253859 (stock #T188)
Asian Ethnic Artifacts
$135.00
Charming mythical creature from Nepal..head is separate and rotates in fitted sleeve...intricate metal work with raised enamel drops giving the appearance of stones...crature stands roughly 4 inches high...