Catalog (113)

This hand carved wooden comb belonged to a Miao Chinese minority women with limited means. Comb would have been worn horizontally between the top of the woman's head and under the twisted bun of her hair. Comb is decorated with symbols which a burned into the wood. comb is 5 x 4 inches

Asian buffalo Horn with Silver over copper mounts with turquoise stones... This type of drinking horn was a common household item used throughout Mongolia...each family member had his (or her) own drinking horn and they were kept on a wooden rack which was made for that purpose... Condition 2 beads missing...silver is worn through in several area,exposing copper base...which is commensurate with normal use and aging

This small strand of Buddhist prayer beads would have been kept in a pocket or looped on a belt. Bought in China from a Tibetan, the strand of tiny dark beads is broken up with coral beads to assist in counting. The 3 fabric triangles, from departed monks robes, are amulets containing various protective prayers. When used for ritual prayers, the fabric talisman would be held in the closed fist while the fingers count the beads. An Ancestors tooth, not bone, hangs from one of the talismans to...

This antique Mongolian belt evokes the image of Mongolian horseman galloping across the plains... The chain is heavily patinated from age and use. The deeply doomed central medallion retains the original stained dark finish and highlighted gold (unknown source) on the border and central decoration. This piece is heavy... the central medallion is 6+ inches across,3.5 inches wide, and 3+ inches deep.

Heavy fine silver bracelet. Bands of braided silver alost 2 inches wide Origin Maduya Pradesh India Raj period. Weighs 8.2 oz...

This necklace consists of 2 carved ivory beads 3/4ths inch diameter, 8 large carved bone beads 3/4th inch, and 88 smaller carved bone beads (1/2 inch). Each large bone and ivory bead has a protective metal sleeve around the stringing hole. If opened up the strand would measure approx 48 inches...beautiful patina on both the ivory and the bone beads....

The Manus Island is one of the Admiralty Islands. This traditional hair comb which the islanders would make from the mid ribs of coconut palm fronds. It is covered with a hard patinarium paste made from the crushed fruit of the Nilit tree, sometimes called Puttynut.

This small Chinese traditional oil lamp is complete with the original hand-blown globe and cover. The base has several rows of ornate grillwork. The cover is engraved on one side with a couple. The other side has a poem. The chinese is old in both character and language and difficult to translate.

The lamp is only 5 inches tall and of higher silver content than usual for China at that time, which indicates an owner of wealth. I have cleaned off some of the tarnish in order to be able to s...

This antique hat from Afghanistan is heavily decorated with variety of old Middle Eastern coins.

This elaborate woman's dress bodice is from Afghanistan, formerly Baluchistan. The fabric was first elaborately embroidered with an applique of thin strands of braids. Then it was heavily decorated with coins and beads.

This antique pair of earrings are from the Miao Chinese Ethnic minority The original "wires" are a bit thick and buyer may want to change them to accomodate contemporary pierced ears... Assumbed to be low grade silver which was typically used in old China... the cubes have the same decorative elements on all 4 sides...each cube has a series of drop dangles hanging from the bottom full length of earings 2 inches ....not including the wires

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 antique toggle was sourced from China. I suspect that was originally from Tibet. The carved circular markings on bottom of 2 of the sides of the toggle are more typical of the ethnic minorities.

Toggle is almost 2 inches long and .5 inches x .5 inches.

Worn for festival, this shapely Tibetan belt is covered with black and coral colored beads, cowrie shells and has a central medallion of silver with turquoise beads. The belt is secured around the waist with cord ties which extend from each side, I have used it as a wall decoration. At the widest section, the belt is 4 inches...The entire beaded length is 26 inches, but with the cord ties it will accommodate a large waist size

This hat was brought back by a nurse who was in Tibet as part of a medical relief team sometime in the 80's. Hat appears to have not been worn and is in excellant condition.

This traditional Chinese woman's headband was made and worn during the Qing Dynasty toward the end of the 19th century. It has an applique embroidered butterfly on each end and a large full kingfisher feathered medallion in the center. The lotus shaped kingfisher is 4 inches x 2 inches. The entire headband in 16 inches in length.

The front of this Tibetan Flint Pouch is decorated with silver and bronze ornamentation and an inset coral bead. The back is decorated with bronze buttons to protect the leather from excessive wear. The pouch still has its original leather strap which would have been used to secure the pouch to the wearers belt.

Flint was an essential and valuable item for nomadic and indigenous cultures and as such was frequently carries in pouch specifically designed for its use.

beautifully matched strand of large and med sized beads separated by very small metalic beads...silver filigree clasp marked 925... total length of strand is just over 29 iches