Catalog (173)

Antique Chinese summer court hat complete with red silk tassels which extend down from the finial to cover the hat. Officials would use their "court" hat for non-formal ceremonies or daily businesses. The finial would be added to the hat during formal court ceremonies held by the Emperor. This translucent blue finial indicates that the owner was a third rank official. condition...not good...silk exterior is very dirty...the rim is worn and damaged and the interior wool faded and has a few ...

This is a very finely embroidered baby carrier from LiPing region. Threads of green and purple silk are used in satin embroidery stitches which are so heavy and so finely done that they almost totally cover the hand-loomed fabric. Additional decorative elements include border areas banded with tiny triangular folded fabric and hand-loomed bands.The upper portion of the carrier would be used to protect the baby's head from the elements. The 3 tassles indicated either that the mother has 3 child...

After hand-weaving their home spun yarn, the Miao women of Na Dan would use contrasting thread colors to create an intricate embroidery of geometric patterns on their precious baby carriers. These pieces were highly prized, used primarily for festival, and were handed down through succeeding generations.

The pouch at the top of the tassel most likely contains various herbs to bring health and good fortune to the baby. The 3 main tassels are actually subdivided into 3, which represented the ...

There are many hopes expressed in this baby carrier: red cotton background fabric for the joy of having the baby, the yellow golden embroidered thread patterned in sun symbols and swirling lines throughout the carrier are the wind blowing the bees and pollen around the fields for a sucessfull harvest. Carrier is divided by a strip of very fine needlepoint for added strength. The upper portion of the carrier covers the baby's head from elements and lower portion supports for baby's body. piece ...

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.

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"

Originally part of a full sized Tibetan adult costume, this piece was cut down to complete a childs festival costume. Decorated with turquoise, coins, tassels and silver ornaments, this type of textile accessory would often be attached to the elaborate headdress or hat and drape down the back to complete the wearers costume. The Tibetan people are not wastefull and items of festival garments in any condition are hard to acquire. I have had it hanging on my wall for a number of years. Today, ...

Used as a "top coat" by a Han Chinese person. Lush black satin weave silk fabric, ornate frog closures, original matching streamers, wide embroidered sleeve panels using metalic covered thread and couching technique. Pristine condition... seal from Chinese Gov agency certifies age to be 100+ years...I bought in China in the late 90's

Incredible precision is the hallmark of this hand embroidered baby carrier from Ge Jia. The piece is bordered with batik and hand stitch detail which is so fine and precise that it looks like it was done on a machine but it was definately done by hand. This carrier is in very good condition. This older style is now highly prized and rarely appear on the market. baby carrier is 23 inches wide at the top and 27 inches long.

This is a charming baby carrier from Guang Xi which is similiar in shape to those carriers from Rao Jia region. It is made of hand-loomed cotton fabric which is hand stitched and hand embroidered with butterflies and flowers using both cotton and silk thread. The sculptural shape makes a very pleasing wall hanging. The condition of this carrier is very good.

This blanket shaped Miao ethnic minority baby carrier is from Jian He and is a good example of the whorl pattern which was so significant to the Chinese Minority. Made from hand-loomed plant fibers (maybe cotton, maybe bast fibers) the surface is heavily decorated with appliques edged with chain stitching. This carrier is in good condition showing a minimum of wear and dirt and it 80+ years old

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...

This is a Qing Dynasty woman's skirt which has been Adapted for western wear. The 2 panels of the skirt have been sewn together and the original waist band has been narrowed. The skirt easily wraps around the hips so that the flat sections were displayed at at the front and back....the pleated sections hang at draped the sides... The background fabric of this skirt is a red silk satin...the main front and rear panels are beautifully embroidered as are pleated side sections of the skirt The skir...

This Miao Chinese ethnic minority jacket would have been worn by a teenage girl for festival. All the batik work was hand-painted and all stitches and embroidery was done by hand. The row of silver hemisphere's across the back represent the "bubble" in the Miao creation myth.

The jacket is approx 70 years old and is from Zhi Jin

This apron would be worn for festival by young woman, recently married and hoping to become pregnant or in the early stage of pregnancy. After the baby is born, the straps will be relocated so that the apron is converted to a baby carrier. The coin bottom border is show hope for good fortune for the baby. The 3 tassles on the end of the apron straps are show hope for eventually having 3 children. The butterfly is considered the mother of the Miao people.

Manchu women never practiced foot-binding. However, during the Qing dynasty, they did wear pedestal aka platform shoes, hoping to give the appearance of smaller feet. These shoes would give the woman a more careful walk which was perceived as dainty and more sensual. In addition, the tips of the shoes would appear to peak out from under the robes, giving the foot more dainty appearance. These shoes are embroidered on both sides with a floral motif. They are in good condition, showing minimal ...

This headdress would have been worn by a young Pashtun woman. It is heavily beaded and decorated with wonderful embroidery, and various buttons and coins. The Pashtun range across Afghanistan, Pakistan and Northern India. This hat was sourced in India but it may not have started there.

The head dress hat is 25 inches long and is in excellent condition.

This pair of boots were made for the child of a wealthy Han family of the late Qing dynasty. They were made from a pale peach colored silk fabric and hand embroidered with silk thread using a satin stitch. The color on lower part of the boots, especially on the outside, has faded to a soft golden color. This would be due to sun exposure during use as the upper part of the boots would be covered by the childs pant legs. Considering the pristine condition, this child was carried about and did ...