Catalog: Sold Items: Regional Art (115)

This is a set of traditional lacquer bowls from Thailand. There is a single gold mythical animal, balu-gwin, at the bottom of the inside and a three balu-gwin spaced around the outside. The gold rim with key design surrounds the rim of each of the 5 bowls.

In wonderful condition, each bowl is approx 5 inches wide at the rim and 2.5 inches high.

The wheel is covered with deep red coral beads. Additional strands of coral beads and the turning weight are attached to a narrow leather strap which bands the center of the wheel. The handle was hand turned. Almost 12" hight and 5" in diameter, this old prayer wheel has seen many turns.

This unusual pair of Chinese dolls were made with wire bodies covered with fabric padding and then silk clothing. Their heads, lower arms and feet are made from some kind of composition material and then painted. Because of their wire construction, their arms, legs, and bodies etc can be carefully repositioned. The feet are wired together to provide a more stable base...it is a theory which frankly does not always work well.

Each doll is approx 9.5 inches tall in standing position...

Edited by The Cultural Palace of Nationalities and Published by Nationality Press, Beijing 1985 hard to get English version. 200+ pages of excellant color photos Frankly, the best book on the subject...

This flap style hat was commonly used by the men in the cold winters of Northern China, formerly Manchuria, now considered Heilungjiang Province. Padded and lined with silk velvet fabric on the inside and covered with silk satin fabric on the outside, the different layers were quilted together with a decorative floral pattern.

There is a label sewn into the back but any information on it has been worn way from use. The hat is in good condition:no rips, no tears, no holes...

Sourced from Rong Jiang area of China, the silver sectioned container was made and used by the Miao ethnic minority as a smoking accessory. Worn hanging from a belt, the collection of pipe cleaning tools would act as a toggle to counter weight the container at the other end. Made from low grade silver, the 3 sectioned container has an etched and pierced design and is held together with handmade chain...

Miao womans Zhaotong style robe from Guizhou province, Wumeng mountain region. The traditional arrow pattern of this garment was considered as a protection from the arrows of enemies. Combining cotton and wool homespun, these garments were used literally as blankets to protect from the cold while tending cattle. Not many survived and the condition reflects the use. Robe is close to 5 feet in width.

This Chinese ethnic minority hat was worn by child and is heavily laden with silver ornaments. The lower border of the top section of the hat has a band of stars. The traditional eight immortals with the god of longevity grace the front of the hat. And there are lots of bells and butterflies hanging from silver chains. The embroidery represents various animal characters...

This rare teke turkomen pendant was originally worn as a necklace. This piece is studded with carnelians and decorated with gold wash aka "firegilded" detail. The pendant is 4 inches wide and 9.5 inches long.

The fabric of this Japanese kimono is made from the very finely spun bast fibers processed from the banana like tree common on Okinawa. The delicate kasuri pattern which was woven into the fabric is typical of garments from the region. Bashofu cloth of varying quality was used for many garments which were worn by all classes in Okinawa since the sixteenth century.

This Dong festival hat is wonderfully embroidered with wrapped thread technique. It is further embellished with gold and silver bits edging the fabric design. At the back is the traditional silver ornament of butterfly and hanging bells to keep evil spirit away

This charming antique purse from Tibet was hand-made to be worn hanging from a waist belt. Lacking ornamentation, is was probably a daily use item to hold coins. A simple endless knot toggle is used for closure. The purse is 3.5 inches at the widest point.

Many of my Tibetan items are "categorized" as Chinese. Most westerners think of Tibetan's as being within the boundary of the current borders of the country known as Tibet...

This charming old traditional style tea container is made from bamboo. It has a fitted lid that is held in place by a thin strip of wood which passes through the handle and fits in a slot in the lid. With the handle extended upward the piece measure 6" tall. The lid has some tooth marks left by a venturesome but unsuccessful mouse.

This pair of handmade woman's shoes were made with cotton vamp and satin stitched embroidered flower motif. The exaggerated upturned front toe was used as a decorative element by several minority groups but from the detailing, I think that they are most likely Miao ethnic minority. They are small and narrow, and probably belonged to a young girl. The Miao, like most minorities, did not practice foot binding. The walking sole measures 6.5 inches long and 2" at the widest part.

Traditionally the style and shape of these old Tibetan wool boots was used by all Buddhist monks, and were considered part of the monks costume. The specific decorative cut pattern and colors of fabric indicated the area of Tibet and the position of the Monk. I am not able to identity the Tibetan region or station of the monk who worn this particular pair of boots

The sole and vamp of the boot is very ridged and heavy...

This is a traditional Buddhist Lama's hat from Tibet. It is made from hand-knotted pile of cotton fiber, which is gathered to form a crest. There are no rips or tears but the fabric shows areas of dirt from wear. This dramatic looking ethnographic artifact makes a great display piece. It measures approx 24" from the height of the crest to the bottom of the lower straps.

This antique gau would have been worn around the neck of a Tibetan woman during festivals. The gau front and side surfaces are decorated with ornate wire work and the front has small beads of turquoise, coral and Lapis. Originally, the gau box would have contained Buddhist religious relics which were removed long ago... and there is some obvious lose to the enamal work on the inside of the gau. The back fits tightly but can easily be removed. It has the sign of the double dorjie...

This Ethnic Minority festival necklace is from one of the Miao villages in the mountains outside the city of Tia Jiang. The neckpiece is formed from a hollow silver tube aprox. .5 inches in diameter. The hollow medallion is .5 inches thick. The necklace can be worn comfortably. The silver medallion has elaborate reposse work with an array of symbols of Miao culture and legend. There is a pair of Phoenix birds flying above a pair of dragons who are chasing a fiery pearl enclosing a frog...