Catalog (491)

Special Offer: Reduced from $1200. now $700. Impressive Ming Dynasty pottery “sancai” green and amber glazed wedding bed. There are two repairs: appears to have been cut in half and then glued back together and there is one on repair at the top of the roof façade- all noted in last enlargements. H: 47cm18.5in and W: 35.5/13.9in x 20cm/8in.

Fine and rare, large copper repousse and chased copper plate depicting a religious scene or narrative. This was acquired in Sri Lanka in the 1990s, the vendor said this was showing the life of Buddha, but the iconography suggests it is most likely Hindu as the central image is shown facing the left, sitting on a tiger pelt, set against a foliate scroll background. This could be representing Shiva with his consort Parvati and son Ganesh. Superb workmanship, circa 19th century. Diame...

Fine, old and rare Chang Naga, three paneled body “prestige” cloth with anthropomorphic cowry shell design. Made from very fine hand spun cotton weft and silk warp, the cowry shells have a fine toned aged patina. This is a genuinely old cloth circa 50 to 70 years old (not for the tourist market). This kind of cloth signifies the owner has given a series of feasts or in the past taken a head. There is one 3cm hole, and two frays on selvedge as well as what appears to be an ink s...

Pair of high content silver, pre-owned, Turkmen forearm cuffs, with inset carnelians. Very heavy, these are 310 grams each or 620 grams total. Inner circumference sizes are: 17.2cm and 19cm on and 17.9m and 20cm on the other. These can be presumably be adjusted silversmith or someone with just a good grip!

Powerful Buddha image from the Tai Lue ethnic group from the Burma, Lao, Thai border region AKA “Golden Triangle”. Superficially these “folk images” lack the grace and serenity of the urban classical styles, but speak more from the heart of the people, as personal devotional merit making acts. This piece dates to around the 18th century; the “waisted” pedestal is typical of this period. Incorporated into the style is the much loved “bhumiparsha“ mudra, with stylized lotus lea...

Beautiful black ovoid jar with some small russet speckles and streaks. This piece is in perfect condition with a near black glaze, from a Northern Kiln (most like Shanxi 山西 or Henan 河南), and dating to the Northern Song/Jin Dynasties. D: 14cm/5.5in and H: 10.5cm/4.1in.

Special Offer- Reduced from $1400 to $800. Stunning Northern Song black glazed jar with russet streaks in perfect original condition, from a Henan kiln. D: 10.3cm/4in and W: 6.8cm/2.7in. Stunning Northern Song black glazed jar with russet streaks in perfect original condition, from a Henan kiln. D: 10.3cm/4in and W: 6.8cm/2.7in.

Song Dynasty Jun ware brush shaper or brushwasher. This was originally the base of flower vase which was later reworked into a scholar’s object. The brown clay indicates this was fired in Henan and in my opinion is representative of the kind that was acquired for the Imperial Qing collection rather then the more typical bowls and saucers. The top surface has more discoloration and minor scratches which indicates, that the repurposing was done some time ago. The book “Chun Ware�...

Superb 3 paneled weaving from the Zhuang ethnic group in Guangxi Zhuang, Southern China. The body is woven from very fine handmade cotton thread while the weft supplementary embroidery is done with silk floss threads (the small blue indigo medallions are done with cotton). Quite a heavy piece because of all the embroidery. L: 161cm/63in and W: 100cm/39in.circa first half of the 20th century.

Collection of circa 1920s antique, mostly men’s cheongsams. Please see text below enlargements for dimensions. These are all hand sewn with good quality silk, with no tears or frays or deterioration of the fabric or thread. A couple have some light fading on the shoulders and minor staining. They may be worn by either sex. Anyway there are 14 pieces in all > additional close ups and condition reports available by request,

Special offer- reduced from $1200- now $800 with shipping included. Rare stoneware jar circa Southern Song or Jin Dynasties jar with soy brown glaze and russet and Jun type, phosphatic splashes. This is heavily potted with an applied dragon chasing a flaming pearl. The brown glaze has a subtle metallic iron oxide patina. It is usually assumed that the blue splashes are accidental (serendipitous) rather than intentional in these brown glazes. This piece is in perfect original condition, t...

Rare coconut grater from Kandy, carved from a single piece of Jack Fruit wood, in a quirky zoomorphic style circa 19th century. L: 82cm/32in x W: 10.5cm/4.1in and x H: 30cm/11/8in.

Fine and rare two paneled silk embroidered “wedding blanket” from the small Maonan minority people of northern Guangxi Zhuang Province. This piece is 60 to 90 years old with a hand spun cotton foundation and hand spun silk. The frontal surface of the blanket is decorated with embroidered floral and phoenix symbols and key fret pattern highlighted by “floating weft” threads. The Maonan number just a little over 100,000 souls and are closely related to the Zhuang who are probab...

Fine and rare two paneled wedding blanket from the Bouyi (aka Buyi) ethnic group in Changshun area Guizou, China. Woven from all handspun cotton thread. The blue and white center field has a “wanzi” swastika meander pattern while the upper and lower parts are the repetitive “well” symbols. This dates circa 1960’s. Without border- L 130cm/51in and W: 72cm/28in, with border- L: 176cm/69in and W: 114cm/28in. A stunning piece- almost has a Mark Rothko feeling to it.

Fine three paneled wedding blanket from the Zhuang ethnic group, Southern China. W: 90cm/35.5in and L: 148cm/58in (with border W: 134cm/52in and L: 190cm/74in. Woven from all hand spun cotton and silk embroidery threads. Classic diamond and star pattern with “wanzi” swastika meander patterns on the border, also incorporated into this pattern are a few “Wang” characters (Chinese for king), which may be seen in the lower left side of the cover image. The black border and backing ...

Complete set of 16 volumes set. These sell for between $1000USD and $2000.USD online my price $600 Excellent condition. These will have to be sent in two shipments since combined weight exceeds the 30kg limit allowed by most countries- so EU countries only allow 20kg. Surface post would be aroubd $300. Depending where you live. ISBN: 9787030202550 This unparalleled reference work offers an overview of ceramics from China. The 16 volumes are arranged by region and contain high quality i...

Very rare pair of Yuan Dynasty Qingbai completely glazed jars with phoenix lids. These are high fired porcelain quality white bodied Jingdezhen wares with “iron rust” splashes and quirky applique figures. One is slightly larger than the other but both are from the same kiln and period. H: 40cm/15.8in x D:18cm/7in and H: 37cm/14.6in and D: 17.5cm/6.9in. There are Chinese characters at top of each jar the most legible one is “moon” and the incised one is ….. There are some minor damages...

Rare Boti or vegetables cutter, like any good kitchen utensil this has a multipurpose function, as it can be used as a coconut scraper on the end of the hand forged blade. This one is circa late 19th century from Tamil Nadu. The end of the cutter has been made into the shape of a bird with “floral” patterns carved into t5he wood. L: 63.7cm/25in x W: 16.7cm/6.6in x H: 35.4cm/13.9in.

Exceptionally rare, handled drinking vessel from the Liao (Khitan) people, circa 907 CE to 1279 CE. There are very few Liao pottery pieces in collections today so this piece would of interest to anyone specializing in this period. Please note last enlargement for reference of a similarly shaped gilt silver piece dating form this period. This particular type of jar shows a much closer affinity with Central Asian cultures than the Han. There are two filled chips and crack on the handle, ...

Heirloom wedding blanket cover from the tiny Maonan ethnic minority of Guangxi, China. First half of the 20th century-made with natural undyed local cotton with the pattern with made from floss silk supplementary brocade weft symbols of phoenix, flowers and butterflies, and is in perfect condition with no holes or tears. Some of the more brightly colored purple aniline dyed silk threads have been rewoven into the patterns probably within the last 40 years but are certainly not new. Thi...

Antique wedding blanket, circa late 19th CE/early 20th CE, from the Bouyi/Buyi (possibly Zhuang) China. This is tightly woven in three panels, from very fine handspun cotton thread with a silk floss yarn supplementary weft “well” pattern. The black cotton lattice gives the overall pattern depth. The wide woven-in border has a “wanzi” swastika meander pattern that seamlessly transitions from the black cotton to silk pastel. There is a simple repair on the edge (noted in enlarge...

Very fine, signed, men’s blanket from the Biboki, Feotle'u area West Timor, Indonesia. The the name of the weaver’s family, were woven into this. W: 114cm/44.8in and L: 186cm/73in, except for the yellow and blue lines this is woven from all naturally dyed handspun thread. Dating circa 1950 to 1960.

Jian ware black glazed bowl with fine russet hare’s fur streaks. Southern Song dynasty. No chips or cracks but there are areas where the glaze from another piece had fallen onto it during firing- the "wabi sabi" is strong in this one, suitable for a Japanese Tea Ceremony. D: 12.3cm/4.9in and H: 6.2cm/2.4in.

Fine Cizhou image of boy carrying a lotus, this symbolizes the continued succession of sons. This piece is in pristine original condtion. High fired stoneware with very stable heavy glaze. H: 17.5cm/6.9in and W: 9cm/3.5in. Guaranteed to be at least Qing Dynasty but possibly Ming.

Unique clear glass Sino Tibetan image of a Dakini, most likely cast from a mold. Basically even with the usual clay images it is problematic dating them as the molds may be old but the item recently made, this piece has traces of compacted soil, surface pitting and wear, as well as small Ming Dynasty Buddhist and Taoist clear glass charms having been documented, I feel a circa 100 year plus is a conservative dating. Having circumambulated the Jokhang on many occasions mainly to check out the B...

Exceptionally rare early 20th century small, complete betel box with za-yun pattern, emulating English embroidery stitching. There are some cracks on the lacquer surface as well minor losses on the edge (especially on the inner box) all visible in enlargements. This is a specialist’s collector piece, for real lovers of Burmese lacquer. H: 8.4cm/3.3in and D:11.6cm/4.4in

Rare semi antique supplementary warp silk embroidery on handspun indigo cotton, blanket from the diverse Tai ethnic group Vietnam/Laos. I collected this in Chiang Mai around 15 years ago and would date it around 50 to 90 years old. Nowadays you just can’t find this sort of textile anymore. Some minor embroidery losses but overall in very good condition. Dimensions: 80cm/31.5in x 137cm/53in.

Very rare, large lidded rattan basket from the Nung Rawang ethnic group of Northern Burma, Kachin State. The Rawang are a subgroup of the Kachin people and live in some of the last great wilderness forests left in Burma. Also it is interesting to note that the men do the weaving and with advent of plastic bags this pretty much an extinct craft. This is the oldest basket from this group I have ever found- conservatively at least 50 years plus. HL 42cm/16.5in and D: 27cm/10.6in. I hole...

Early 19th century lacquer box from the Gadu-Gadan region with domed top and bottom (philone gaunglone). There are 16 separate panels decorated with mythical beasts, dancers and quirky symbols on the side and bird pattern on the top and bottom. Please note last photo for reference which is dated 1850 (possibly earlier) from Lacquerware Journeys—Than Htun. The piece I have is actually far more intricate. It is extremely rare to see a piece of Burmese lacquer of this age outside of...

Fine old Shan Burmese lacquer box, circa early 20th century with one tray and depicting monkeys playing in foliate background. This piece is a real classic beauty (IMHO). There are a couple of repairs at the edge of the rim noted in enlargements as well as craclature on the surface and nicks around the foot. H: 19.2cm/7.6in and D: 22cm/8in.

Two Lopuri Culture aventurine jewelry pieces. 1#: Long rectangular bead, from Central Thailand circa 500 BCE. Good transparency. Damaged on one end and the lengthwise hole only goes from the undamaged end to the second hole. L: 6.6cm/2.6in and W: 7mm/.3in x 5mm/.2in. 2#: Fine small aventurine bangle from early same Lopburi Thai Bronze Age Culture. This item is slightly flattened at the bottom but in perfect original condition. Outer D: 6.2cm/2.4in and inner D: 4.6cm/1.8in. Free s...

Maginficent, antique basket from the Naxi/Nakhi ethnic group in Yunnan province. I purchased this in 2001 at local market in Lijiang (now a UNESCO heritage site). Constructed of bamboo with much of lacquer intact, this piece is circa 50 to 80 years old, most interesting is an auspicious coin symbol woven into the top. This kind of thing always reminds of the labor intensiveness that is put in to decorating such a humble object. I have traveled to Yunnan several times since and this is ...

Fine old, three paneled, supplementary weft embroidered wedding blanket from the Zhuang ethnic group Guizhou Province China. Handspun and handwoven cotton thread foundation and silk for the embroidery. The central area is dominated by the “well” “#” pattern, while the border is a combination of the “well” pattern inside a “wanzi” swastika meander. There are few small faded areas but no holes or tears. W: 104cm/40in and L: 140cm/56in.

This is a 20th century hand painted on silk and traditionally scroll mounted homage the artist, Miao Jiahui a female painter who was the official personal artist to the Qing Dynasty Empress Dowager Cixi, Depicting chrysanthemums in vases and flower pots, there is a poem in the upper left hand corner translates roughly as “The late king likes to sleep in the garden of the chrysanthemums/ The tall vase is shaped by its surroundings/ Common eyes fear not because the autumn wind and sickness/...

Rare and unique (one of a kind), antique large Thai “parang” or “machete”, general purpose bush knife which was used in cutting and splitting rattan and bamboo. The handle is made of old, and nowadays rare, Thai Rosewood: Dalbergia cochinchinensis which has a nice chatoyance to the grain (sort of looks like Huanghuali to me 降香黄檀). The cutting edge is still sharp and usable; there are a couple of splits which is secured by a metal band. L: 64cm/25.2in.

These books sell for $400. ea so I am offering both volumes for $400 only. Both in excellent condition. This is a tool book for researching and collecting Huaqian(a special kind of money which is not for circulation, it is of collection value today ), covering 3000 kinds of Huaqian from Han dynasty to the Republic of China period, most of which are from China, some are from China's neighboring countries. The book gives rating and price to each Huaqian, there are also some brief intr...