Catalog (173)

Possibly from Yueli are of Nandan county, this antique Chinese ethnic minority Miao top could have been worn for every day It has hand batiked front and back panels and the front apron has hand embroidery accents on the batiked section. Pic 1 shows the back with the "apron"extention which extends to the top of the knees... Pic 2 show the front which ends at the waist... Fits a small woman and I mean small or could be used as a striking wall piece...

This traditional summer weight Manchu style (side closing)vest is from late Qing Dynasty. The lush deep blue silk fabric has a jacquard weave with an all over fret design. The lining is of deep maroon silk..the vest is entirely hand sewn, and fits a small to medium size woman.

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

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

Long lengths of treads or first braided into a "tape" and then the tape is tightly sewn to a background in elaborate pattern to depict various elements of Miao legends and myths.

This hat is extensively decorated with the wrapped thread embroidery technique which is distinctive to the Dong Ethnic Minority group. Additionally detailed with tassels and plastic beads, the hat was clearly made by a loving grandmother approximately 30-35 years ago. The hat is in excellent condition.

This blouse is from Thailand and made for use by a Karen Hilltribe woman. First the fabric was hand woven from cotton fibers. Next the surface was lower half was elaborately decorated with cotton thread embroidery and tiny sea urchin shells using a geometric pattern. Then it was whip stitched into the form of a blouse using white cotton thread. This garment makes a wonderful display piece and can also be worn for special occassions. 23 inches across and 27 inches long.

Leather products were rare and expensive during the Qing Dynasty in China. Fans were in common usage and a quality fan would have required a proper protective case. A wealthy woman could have afforded this suede fan case and would have considered it as the acceptable accessory to properly detail her finery.

The case is 9+ inches long with silk cord for drawstrings, elaborately knotted and tasseled.

This charming pair of lotus shoes are from northern China and date to the late Qing Dynasty. The delicately embroidered flower goes across the toe of each shoe and the wide ornate woven band forms a cuff around the top of each shoe.

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 is presumed to be central panel taken from 100 bird coat from the Bai Ling area. It has been bordered and backed by new fabric. The central panel is very tightly split-thread satin-stitched embroidery over a silk felted (non-woven) fabric. This piece is in pristine condition, and measures approximately 30" by 30"

This hand woven traditional childs top was worn by the children of China's Yi ethnic minority group living in Ma Li Po. It is in excellent condition with wonderfully detail batik work

This large antique Japanese would have been used in rural villages by the peasants who would go into the fields and hills to collect various herbs. Hand woven from grape vine bark, the basket has rope handle which also goes through loops at the bottom of the basket to provide added support for the weight.

Really rare ethnographic item in unusually good condition. the basket alone measures roughly 18 inches x 12 inches x 3+ inches...

This Miao Baby carrier is from the Bai Ling region of China. As is typical of this region, the straps are embroidered. This attractive piece was probably only used for a few festivals before being stored away for the next generations use. In excellant condition, it measures 38" long.

These geta (shoes) were worn by a girl or young Japanese woman. Build up from several layers of materials, the felted soles have slits to allow access for the changing of thongs should they become soiled or worn. Small pieces of leather nailed are the heels. The upper fabric liner is made from two pieces of contrasting fabric sewn together and show a small amount of dirt and an almost imperceivable foot imprint about the toe area. Presumably this pair would have been reserved for inside hous...

This soft pale pink colored antique Chinese silk skirt is from the late 1800's. The traditional floral embroidery is mainly uses satin stitch technique with the large flower in the center of the front and rear panels use Peking knots. In over all excellent condition but the two panel have been stitched together and the waist band has been shortened to accommodate the adjustment. Also the lining has been removed... I will be traveling with very limited internet access from Dec 11 to De...

Rare old Shui ethnic minority baby carrier is from Gui Zhou province China. The upper section is elaborately embroidered using mostly satin stitch technique. The lower section is embroidered with horsehair wrapped thread design. Although this carrier shows extensive use, and shows a bit of dirt, it retains its beauty. Measures approx 20" x 36"

This traditional Mexican Serape textile from the 1920's measures 64 x 84 inches. Fibers are cotton and fine wool with "eye of god". Excellent quality and condition.