Catalog (504)

Simply elegant wood panel depicting a bird perched on a rock beneath plum blossom in the background there are mountains and trees. The carving is in perfect condition with traces of original blue pigment- please note the delicacy in which the bird’s legs were carved as well as the bare trees beneath the mountains and bracken ferns at the bottom of the foothill (if you use your imagination they look like high rise apartments). W: 27cm/6.8in and H: 21cm/8.6in

Rare collection (5 pieces) of pottery tobacco pipes used by the Rau/Brau people. These were acquired in Laos quite a few years. Most likely fired at the Yixing Kilns, in Jiangsu Province- the same place that made opium pipe bowls. These would date from late 19th century to first half 20th century- the ones with reddish clay being the oldest. They have some small chips consistent with old tribal pieces. As far as I know these pipes were unique to the Brau, and would today be considered ...

Rare ceremonial rice cutter from the Karen people (this particular one is from Northern Thailand). This knife would only be used on the first cutting of the season and as with most all of the rice cultivators in Asia there is a great deal of ritual and importance given to this act, regardless of the religion i.e. Buddhist, animist, Hindu etc. The animal bone handle has a wonderful original patina and the blade is still quite sharp. Circa 60 to 100 years old. I am always fond of t...

Good circa early 20th CE pair of miniature Lanna Northern Thai Buddhas. The small one on left is amulet sized (H: 5.2cm/2in) with traces of gold and black lacquer and the larger one is a small votive image (H: 7.2cm/2.8in). I believe these to be cast in zinc. Free shipping international shipping via Hong Kong Registered Airmail.

Tang terra cotta image of a Fat Lady. Traces of original pigment (please note the belt in enlargements). Miniatures are extremely rare. H: 8.4cm. Good condition- no damage or repair.

Tang terra cotta image of a lady in waiting or courtesan, with elegant chignon. Traces of original pigment. Miniatures are extremely rare. H: 10.2cm. Good condition- no damage or repair.

Tang terra cotta image of a Court Official. Traces of original pigments. Miniatures are extremely rare. H: 7.9cm. Good condition- no damage or repair.

Old Chin skirt, circa 1950, from the Khumi subgroup in Burma. The design is called “amtosa” although deceptively simple is really extremely complex; please note in enlargements that the reverse side of this textile does not show any of the pattern on the front. This is made on a backstrap loom of very fine homespun cotton with a beaded open work border along the selvedge. Three small repaired holes. L: 1.8m/6ft and W: 40.5cm/16in.

Old Chin tube skirt, circa 1950, from the Khumi subgroup in Burma. although deceptively simple is really extremely complex; please note in enlargements that the reverse side of this textile does not show any of the pattern on the front. This is made on a backstrap loom of very fine homespun cotton with a beaded fringe along the selvedge. Some stains and a few small holes. L: 180cm/71in and W: 44cm/17.2in

Clay “tsa tsa”, over 100 years old, with six tantric deities- there is one repair, noted in enlargements. H: 5.8cm/2.2in and W: 5.3cm/2.1in. Free shipping.

Exquisitely, embroidery panel from the Yao, sometimes referred as the Mien, ethnic group from northwest Laos near the Vietnamese border. This piece is the back panel from of a woman’s jacket with silk embroidered thread on hand woven indigo dyed cloth and is in excellent condition (one tiny pin hole and later embroidery noted in enlargements), circa 75 years old. L: 58cm/22.8in and W: 50cm/19.8in. Free shipping Hong Registered Airmail.

1# Good buff pottery jar from the QIjia Neolitic Culture (circa 2200 BCE – 1600 BCE,) Gansu Province. I old chip on the rim, noted, otherwise very good condition. H: 15.1cm/6in and D: 9.7cm/3.8in. 2# Lovely two handled pottery jar from the Northern China circa (2200 BCE – 1600 BCE) in near perfect condition with just a couple of minor chips on one handle. H: 12.9cm/5.1in and W: 11.8cm/4.7in.

Ensemble of 6 breast panels from the Khami or Mro subgroup of the Chin ethnic group, Arrakan State Burma. Antique 1950s or older. Sizes- L: 66cm26in and W: 34cm/13.4in (more or less). Condition as pictured.

Good Cizhou type high fired, well balanced, ovoid soy glazed with russet highlights jar from a northern kiln, circa- Five Dynasties to Northern Song. There is a possible chip on the outer mouthrim (see enlargement)- difficult to tell if this happened after firing or before. There are remnants of kiln supports on the concave foot. H: 9.6cm/3.8in and D: 10.3cm/4in.

Rare, very rugged leather tobacco box from the Bai ethnic group in Yunnan, China. This was purchased in rural Yunnan at a Bai market, near Dali over 20 years ago. One can assume this craft is no longer being done with the availability of cheap plastic items as well as the migration of artisans to better paying jobs in the city. There are some tiny lacquer losses to the surface. I W: 9.8cm/4.9in x H:5.5cm/2.2in & 8cm/3.1in x 6cm/2.4in. Free shipping.

Classic semi antique Laotian textile from the Tai Daeng ethnic group. This was acquired in 1991, just when Lao was opening itself for tourism and was about 30 years old at the time so this would date pre Vietnam War era. It is mounted onto a commercial Chinese chintz cloth border (looks original), made from all hand spun cotton and silk thread in the embroidery (except for the black pattern). There is one small repair noted in enlargements. L: 148/58.2in x W: 144cm/17.2in (without border...

Northern Song vitreous glazed over white slip Cizhou jar. Nice ivory toned piece emulating Ding ware. There is a simple repair on one side of the body which is pointed out in photos and chip on mouth rim. Dimensions: 13cm/2.9in width and 9.5cm/3.7in height. This from a Northern Kiln most likely Henan, or Shanxi.

Delightful Qing Dynasty café au lait glazed water dropper in the shape of a fish in a basket, it is quite heavy for its size and the brown glaze has a strong metallic patina possibly emulating bronze. Most likely from a Southern Kiln, in perfect condition! D: 5.7cm/2.2in and H: 7.2cm/2.8in.