Asian ethnic minority artifacts textiles, tribal arts, primitive Asian Ethnic Artifacts
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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 : Estate Jewelry : Ethnic : Far Eastern : Pre 1900 item #1090966 (stock #Jlry168)
Asian Ethnic Artifacts
Beautiful antique silver bracelet from Himalayan region, my best quess is Nepal. Six Lapis Lazuli stones set in convex curve with etched leaf design that covers the background of the bracelet. Hinge and pin opening gives easy on and off usage.

Nice weight, no marks, width is 1.25 inches, each stone is .5 inches by .75 inches, nice weight, excellant condition, no dings, no dents

All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Indian Subcontinent : Himalayas : Pre 1900 item #1253876 (stock #T190)
Asian Ethnic Artifacts
$275.00
Very Nice patina on this old Tibetan Dorje. It is 7 inches long. The Tibetan Dorje is the equivalent of the India Buddhist symbol of Vajra or Thunderbolt which represents the masculine force....
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Chinese : Jewelry : Pre 1900 item #582272 (stock #T105)
Asian Ethnic Artifacts
$310.00
This is a wonderfully detailed silver needle case which was worn hanging from the belt. It has it's original long leather thong and silk tassel. Each side of the silver case has a central stone bead...one coral, one turquoise. The sides of the case (not pictured) have incised cloud/wave pattern. When opened, the case has copper with fabric arm to hold the needles. For indigenous and nomadic people, needles were an essential and valuable tool for survival of daily life. Because they were no...
All Items : Vintage Arts : Regional Art : Asian : Indian Subcontinent : Himalayas : Pre 1930 item #1230849 (stock #T186)
Asian Ethnic Artifacts
$250.00
This belt would have been worn for festival gatherings. Decorated with beads, cowrie shells and central turquoise medallion the belt strap is narrow approx 1.25 inched wide. Hanging from the belt are beaded strands in graduated lengths with each strand ending with a cowrie shell. There is a cord tie attached so that the belt can be tied at the back of the wearer. It is a lovely piece
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Ethnic : Far Eastern : Pre 1930 item #1403944 (stock #Jlry206)
Asian Ethnic Artifacts
This old vintage brass pendant has a seated Buddha detailed on the front with good stone work. The back of the pendant depicts a double has dorjie. Measured on the diagonals...2.5 inches x 2.75 inches.
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 : India : Pre 1920 item #824544 (stock #ZMisc130)
Asian Ethnic Artifacts
sold
Instead of shoes, sandals such as these were worn in villages throughout India. Hand carved from indigenous woods, frequently teak and fitted to the individual wearer. The knob on the toe prevented the sandals from falling off and no other attachment was used.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Ethnic : Far Eastern : Pre 1900 item #1114028 (stock #Jlry173)
Asian Ethnic Artifacts
The shape of this antique pendant is a Dharmachakra or "wheel with 8 spokes", which is one of the eight auspicious symbols of Tibetan Buddhism. Eight oval shaped turquoise surround a ninth turquoise stone, with each stone set in a silver bezel on a silver backing. When mined, turquoise is a soft stone, and all old stones were set into a bezel for protection. Later stablization processes were used so that bezels were no longer required.

pendent measures approximately 4 inches tall and 3.75 ...

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. Although the slide still works, with age etc, the top and bottom have warped so tha...
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Chinese : Snuff Bottles : Pre 1920 item #505984 (stock #ZT100)
Asian Ethnic Artifacts
sold
Tibetan snuff bottle with wood body, with decorative silver base and shoulders. The silver work shows a bird with elaborate wing feathers and thin handles on either side of the bottle. The stopper lid is capped with coral and the spoon is also silver. The condition is very good. Bottle measures 3" x 2"
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Indian Subcontinent : Himalayas : Pre 1800 item #799443 (stock #T130)
Asian Ethnic Artifacts
$375.00
This Mongolian oil lamp was made in 3 sections, which were then "welded" together. From the 3 seam marks, it appears that the base was made from 3 parts which were joined and hammered into shape. The stem was a long square length of rod which was twisted during heating. Typically, these lamp stands would have a shallow bowl with a short dull spike for a candle, or a tripod oil bowl could also be placed on the top bowl according to the owners resources and preferences. This particular lamp s...
All Items : Vintage Arts : Regional Art : Asian : Chinese : Pre 1970 item #1084875 (stock #T167)
Asian Ethnic Artifacts
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.
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Chinese : Folk Art : Pre 1920 item #593434 (stock #T108)
Asian Ethnic Artifacts
$175.00
Suspended from a small leather belt loop, this old Mongolian pipe pouch has trekked a long way. This ethnographic relic was clearly hand-made, with a simple closure of leather thongs tied into a traditional knot, and a few beads add a decorative element. For pipe cleaning, there is added piece of twisted metal wire decorated with green thread. Approx 12" long and about 3" at the widest point. It is a relic from a nomadic ethnic culture and its condition... well used with the patina that ...
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Chinese : Folk Art : Pre 1910 item #599665 (stock #M115)
Asian Ethnic Artifacts
$175.00
Delicately carved with a floral motif, is horn was used to give domestic animals medicine. It is Chinese ethnic minority probably from Inner Mongolia. Horn is about 6" long and has small chip at the end of the bowl. It is a wonderful ethnographic piece for the tribal arts collector
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 #1170809 (stock #T180)
Asian Ethnic Artifacts
This antique copper gau would have been kept in a prayer niche in the home and would be worn as an ornament for festival. In place of the Tsatsa (clay figure), there is a Tsakli. It was common practice to use a tsakli (small picture card) to represent the religious item which would be placed in the gau, when time and money became available. The original written talisman remains inside the gau also.

Gaus like this were commonly used by the Tibetans living inside China and those livi...

All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Indian Subcontinent : Himalayas : Pre 1900 item #1266197 (stock #T193)
Asian Ethnic Artifacts
$125.00
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 3.75 x 3.5 inches
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Indian Subcontinent : Himalayas : Pre 1920 item #1347625 (stock #T199)
Asian Ethnic Artifacts
$250.00
Lovely old pair of matching Tibetan tea bowls. Carved from burl wood with silver/metal decoration around the foot and silver liner inside the bowls. bowls are roughly 2 inches high and 3.75 inches diameter across the rimmed bowl
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Indian Subcontinent : Himalayas : Pre 1920 item #1080134 (stock #T166)
Asian Ethnic Artifacts
This traditional small leather purse would have been used as an ornament and hung from a belt by a Tibetan woman during festival. It is heavily decorated with silver metal, turquoise and coral beads. This is an old one and is in excellent condition.
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Indian Subcontinent : Himalayas : Pre 1920 item #600680 (stock #T110)
Asian Ethnic Artifacts
$475.00
This is a Tibetan Ritual Celestial Crown also know as a Diadem or Ringga. It is worn by a necromancer or oracle during rituals. The "crown" consists of 5 separate paintings on paper and each painting is backed with thin cardboard for stiffness. The sections are connected with string. When worn, the crown is tied around the head with string. The sections are painted with the five Dhayani, celestial Buddhas, each painted with his traditional color and gesture. Each section is 4 wide by 6.5 h...
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Indian Subcontinent : Himalayas : Pre 1837 VR item #929887 (stock #T148)
Asian Ethnic Artifacts
$655.00
Both the wooden front and back covers of this Buddhist Sutra book are hand carved with different symbols. The numerous text pages are beautifully written with rich black ink with specific words written in red ink. The book still has its original leather binding strap.

This Tibetan sutra book approximately 12 inches wide, 4 inches tall, and 2 inches thick. Though the pages are in good condition, the covers show years of wear and use and is a wonderful artifact of an old culture.

All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Indian Subcontinent : Himalayas : Pre 1920 item #1474247 (stock #T210)
Asian Ethnic Artifacts
$225.00
This antique sutra book is from Tibet... more pages than I want to count, original paper, writings and covers... size 6 inches x 2 x 1.5
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Indian Subcontinent : India : Pre 1900 item #1097659 (stock #Misc160)
Asian Ethnic Artifacts
This antique Dhokra depicts a large fish being ridden by 2 women and is probably representing some tribal legend or myth. Dhokras were made by the Kondh tribe of the state of Orissa India. The Dhokra, or small sculptures, were made as toys, ritual objects as well as gifts and talismans. They were much a part of tribal craftsmanship and culture during the 1700's and 1800's. Dhokras were made from a clay base with a net-like pattern and then cast in bronze using the lost wax technique. Be...
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Chinese : Folk Art : Pre 1837 VR item #916152 (stock #T146)
Asian Ethnic Artifacts
This antique lamp was sourced from an old Buddhist Temple in Mongolia. It would have been used as a light source, commonly using fat but also occasionally using oil for fuel. The surfaces are rusted and corroded from centuries of use and weather, which gives the piece character and shows it to be an ethnographic artifact of cultures past and passing. Approx 8 inches wide across the rim of the base and approx 12 inches high. Weight is approx 4.5 lbs
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Indian Subcontinent : Himalayas : Pre 1900 item #1297907 (stock #T196)
Asian Ethnic Artifacts
Tibetan Buddhist monks Hand made folded paper with text and amulets. one side mostly with text and amulets on lower section. other side drawn amulet drawings with text This piece was from a collection gathered in Tibet in the late 60's..aged conservatively from the 1800's
All Items : Vintage Arts : Regional Art : Asian : Indian Subcontinent : India : Pre 1960 item #1156915 (stock #Misc174 )
Asian Ethnic Artifacts
Price on Request
Probably used once and then packed away for another generation, this vintage silk traditional sari from Varanasi is a vibrant as the day it was loomed. A small leaf pattern of gold metallic thread dots the entire length of the deep green silk field. There is a 2 inch brocaded border on each side which also runs the length of the sari. The end panel is ornately patterned brocaded silk and makes extensive use of gold metallic threads. Throughout India, Varanasi sari are highly prized as wedd...
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.

The Tibetan Buddhists used the gau as a prayer shrine usually placed on a special shelf in the home along with any other religious relics o...

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 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. This antique gau has a front piece of silv...
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Middle Eastern : Metalwork : Pre 1837 VR item #817094 (stock #ZMisc124)
Asian Ethnic Artifacts
sold
This lovely antique Indo Persian box is covered with silver and bronze elaborate damascene work on the top and 4 sides. The box lid is slightly domed and the inside is lined with wood. Made in what was Persia, now Bidar India, this box dates to the early part of the 19th century, and is an fine example of Damascene metal work. In excellent condition, the box is 6.5 inches x 3.5 inches x 2 inches high.

Known in India as "Bidri", damascene metalwork was developed by the Persian court silversm...

All Items : Estate Jewelry : Ethnic : Far Eastern : Pre 1900 item #796671 (stock #T128)
Asian Ethnic Artifacts
$275.00
This antique bracelet from Tibet is both thick and weighty, but it is very small for a Western wrist. The opening measures a scant 1 inch.
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Indian Subcontinent : India : Pre 1920 item #1053809 (stock #Misc155 )
Asian Ethnic Artifacts
The charming old tribal womans purse is heavily embroidered on each side and is decorated with mirrors and cowrie shells. Condition is very good, no rips, no tears, just beautifully faded vegetable dyes.
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Indian Subcontinent : India : Pre 1900 item #842059 (stock #Misc131)
Asian Ethnic Artifacts
$315.00
According to many Indians, this old juicer would also doubled as a pasta maker. With the carved animal heads on each side, and great aged patina, it makes an interesting sculptural artifact of India's culture.

Measures 12 high, 10 inches wide and 6 inches deep.

All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Chinese : Folk Art : Pre 1900 item #1105493 (stock #T172)
Asian Ethnic Artifacts
This small Mongolian hunters flint strike pouch still has flint stone inside. Also know as strike-a-light in American Indian cultures, this hunters folk art implement has bronze tooled fittings. Well aged and in excellent condition...measures 4 inches across the widest part of the striker plate
All Items : Vintage Arts : Regional Art : Asian : Indian Subcontinent : Himalayas : Pre 1950 item #1155694 (stock #T178)
Asian Ethnic Artifacts
This Tibetan pipe was made and used for smoking hand rolled tobacco cigarettes only. The body of the pipe is antelope horn and according to the Tibetans, they stopped killing the antelope many years ago. Pipe is 8 inches long.