Catalog: Antiques (378)

Quirky pair of fishing bobs from the Mentawai Islanders off the coast of West Sumatera. These are probably multifunctional as I have seen them described variously as turtle net buoys, fishing bobs as well as net weavers. The larger one has a fishing hook fashioned from a nail as well as old stone bead. L: 49.5/19.5in and 53cm/20.8in.

Strand of Yuan to Ming Dynasty white “milk” glass trade beads excavated from the Tak Hilltop burial site along the Thai Burmese border. These can be dated to the14th to 16th CE because they were found the same strata as easily datable Chinese and Vietnamese ceramics. Please examine enlargements for condition. There are 82 beads with large holes and average diameter of 1.1cm per bead with total length of 48cm/18.8in. Free shipping via Hong Kong registered airmail included.

Rare “sizhi” (four straight sides), inkstone circa Ming Dynasty. Good condition with one small chip noted in last enlargement. Please pay attention to the detail of the carving in enlargements (especially the footrim), the lines are graceful, and understated. A simple, elegant and still completely usable piece. L: 11.6cm/4.5in, H: 2cm/.8in and W: 7.8cm/3.1in.

Lovely Iban woman’s skirt from the Kapit region in Sarawak, circa 1940-1950. The broad center field is woven from handspun cotton and natural dyes. The red use in this is particularly rich. The narrow bands on the side are made of commercial thread and dye. This has a Bangit fruit pattern, which signifies “abundance”. There are a few minor frays and inevitable “pinholes”, but IMO the condition is good. L: 102cm/40in and W: 52cm/20.5in...

Beautiful pre Viet Nam War woman’s sarong from the Stieng/Xtiêng ethnic group Vietnam. Semi antique/vintage over 50 years old, all hand spun and woven. The center red and black panel is quite striking. Some minor old repairs on the selvedge and the stitches holding the panels together have unraveled in a couple of places, but otherwise no tears, holes or stains. L 135cm/53in and W: 66cm/26in.

Fine old all and spun and hand woven wedding blanket from the tiny Maonan minority group living in Guangxi and Guizhou province, circa 1940 to 1960. This piece is very crisply silk weft embroidered classic butterfly, phoenix and floral pattern. Excellent condition. The border is made of an outer hand spun cotton cloth will the red inner border is commercial cloth. L: 94cm/37in and W: 65cm/25.5in- total with border L: 149cm/58.6 and W: 94cm/37in.Free shipping

Classic green glazed Han Dynasty grain storage silo. This item has been repaired (by me), please examine enlargements for condition. This has an excellent lead glazed silver patina and well executed little bears for legs. H: 27cm/10.6in and D: 20cm/7.9in (at the roof).

Very rare early 20th century textile from the Mulao ethnic group Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Province. Little is known about these textiles other than they show a close affinity with Maonan weavings and are no longer being woven by this people. This is a two paneled blanket with original border and supplementary weft silk and cotton embroidered pattern of birds, mythical animals and flowers on a cotton field “key fret” pattern...

Two strands of Kushan/Bactrian of mixed stone (mostly carnelian) beads. I acquired these along with coins dating from 1st- 4th CE from the same site in North West Pakistan, so these can be dated no later than 1500 years old. There are a few agate and quartzite beads in the lot, some with traces of “etching”. The crescent shaped beads would have originally small ringed shaped ornaments that have been drilled and “knapped” to some extent to accommodate them being strung...

Rare and quirky Rawang/Nung small storage basket from the Rawang enthnic group, Kachin State, Northern Burma. Rough plaiting but quite charming, the top of the lid has worn through- only the second of this style of plaiting, I have encountered over many years. H: 28cm/10.2in and W: (at base) 16.2cm/6.5in. Very old.

6187 250.00 Very rare old Cambodian woven bamboo lacquered scroll box with a partial mother of pearl inlay design, circa early 20th CE. This is an unusually large piece in good original condition, some surface loss to the lacquer but no breakage on the woven walls. The body is still pliable, the lid is a bit scuffed- to be expected from an old item. H: 42cm/16.5in and D: 13cm/5.1.

Collection of four hardwood “tun tun” pig trap markers made by the Iban people of Sarawak, East Malaysia, circa last half of 20th century. All in good condition. The longest one is L: 59cm/23.2in

Lovely old Burmese lacquer box with a finely woven lattice work, insert lid (I assume to keep the flies off your “tiffin”) or used to sieve. Circa 60-90 years old, it is very thin and lightweight and the body is constructed of bamboo., I acquired this in a Pagan, lacquer shop about 20 years ago. Excellent original condition with minor lacquer loss at the bottom’s edge as to be expected from a genuinely old piece. D: 30.5cm/12in and H: 16cm/6.2in.

Exceptionally rare small lacquered box from the Karen people of Burma. This is an antique piece circa early 20th century (possibly earlier). I have yet to find any other examples of pieces with the carved design on the bottom (either in the field or any published literature). There is some minor loss to lacquer to at the edge of the top. D: 9cm/3.6in and H: 8.8cm/3.5in. Free shipping.

Special Offer: reduced from $400 to $230. Quirky ensemble of 4 Ming Dynasty (plus one from the Tang Dynasty) sancai courtiers holding Rats, which in the Chinese Zodiac are considered the first of the signs with the attributes of spirit, wit, alertness, delicacy, flexibility and vitality. These all came from different sets and were intentionally aggregated by the original owner. See notes below enlargements for dimension and details.

230.00 Unusual gray stoneware jar found of the West Coast of Sri Lanka. Impossible to accurately identify it’s origin, I am assuming it is from East or Southeast Asia possibly even Japanese. This was acquired in Kandy, Sri Lanka over 20 years ago. I would date this to about 10th to 12th century. The mouthrim is unique, stopper would be inserted and covered than it tied down with a cord. H: 22cm/8.6in x D 17cm/6.8in. Very attractive piece, just a shallow chip on the mouth rim.

Beautiful “Cizhou” type black storage jug with lugs probably used for preserved vegetables, circa Ming Dynasty. A very attractive piece with lovely contrasting black and russet glazes, and paraffin patina throughout. Good example what would have been used in an ancient Chinese kitchen. Perfect condition, except for one very small glaze chip inside the mouthrim, noted in last enragement. H: 18.5cm/7.2in and D: 18cm/7.1in.

Pair of Song Dynasty soy brown, Jian type bowls from the Dongzhang/Minho kiln in Fujian, recovered from the Lianjiang shipwreck. Good condition, no damage or repairs, there is some original kiln grit in the cavetto and a minor irregularity on the rim of one. D: 10cm/4in and H: 4.5cm/1.8in. May still be used in a tea ceremony.