Catalog (491)

Fine and rare Yao (also known as Mien) Taoist shaman “yen” chop, used to send messages to the Gods. Reference “The Yao” by Jess Pourret pgs 206 & 207. This came from the Sino/Lao Fansipan Mountains border area and date circa 80 to 90 years old. 3.6cm/1.4in x 3.6cm/1.4in x 3.6cm/1.4in. Free shipping.

Good first half of the 20th century hardwood hand carved image of a pig. I acquired this from Mossgreen's Auctions, Australia about 20 years ago, they attributed it to being 100 years old. L: 20.2cm/8in and H: 8.3cm/3.2in. There is a "check in the wood, that may be noted in last enlargement

Good, first half of the 20th century hardwood hand carved bowl carved in the shape of a turtle. I acquired this from Mossgreen's Auctions, Australia about 20 years ago, they attributed it to being 100 years old. Please note the two legs in the back are damaged and is noted in last enlargement. L: 42cm/16.5in and W: 16cm/6.2in.

Lovely hand silk embroidered alter “skirt” with the Eight Chinese Immortals and three double happiness roundels at the top. I recently acquired this with a group of other vintage textiles; this is in perfect condition with a lovely palate of colors. Late 20th century, this would have been hung in in front of a temple altar table’s legs. H: 100cm/40in x W: 94cm/37in. Appears never to have been used.

Rare Zo/Tedem "tawnok"- reference "The Art of the Zo: Philadelphia Museum of Art". The Tedum aka Tiddim are a subgroup of the Chin, who live mostly in Northern Burma, Chin State, as well India, and Bangladesh. This piece is circa 1950-1960, spun from commercial, hand dyed cotton thread with some single faced supplementary and diamond twill patterns. Please see enlargements to appreciate the complexity of this weave. There are a few pin holes but noting egregious (one small repair w...

Exceptional semi antique, over 70 years old, two paneled Tai Daeng (Red Tai) blanket from Northern Laos with supplementary weft silk Chinese Shou longevity character medallions and key fret design. The last time I was in Vientiane (13 years ago) textiles of this quality are no longer to be found. There are two repairs noted in enlargements 2 & 3 as well as some minor weft design loss. The Tai Daeng are generally acknowledged to be the best weavers in Laos and their contemporary piec...

Very fine, complete (both original inner trays included) betel box in excellent condition circa first half 20 the century. Composed of red, black and green lacquer depicting monkeys against an abstract foliate background. Some surface craquelure as to be expected on old lacquerware. D: 18.5cm/7.2in and H: 10.5cm/4.1in.

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.

Pair of teak wood carvings from an abbot’s chair in a Lanna Thai Buddhist Temple. 50 years old or more, possibly late Rattanakosin period. In the center of each piece is a Buddha image- one standing and one sitting. Very decorative. Both mounted on a black steel stands with felt bottoms. H: 21cm/8.2in.

Old song bird catcher from the Minang people of Central Sumatra. I bought this in Padang in 1988 and it was already old at the time, so I can date this to about 1950. A classic honey trap, right out of the KGB spy book. A hot and seductive female bird is placed in the back of the cage and when a dumb male bird comes along and lands on the perch in front this will trip a peg that will cause the net in the front to come down and now he is caught. See last two enlargements. L: 27cm/10.6i...

Ten pieces of old natural coral, acquired individually (piece by piece), over 20 years ago in Northern Thailand originating from various hill tribe ethnic groups. Excellent color and may be worn singly or as a group. 31 grams total. Scale noted in enlargements in metric. Free shipping.

Quirky image of Ganesh accompanied by four rats as devotees and musicians. This is from the last half of the 20th century- possibly a tribal image. For the most part most of the iconography and i.e., accoutrements, mudras and association of rats accompanying him are correct. I acquired this from an estate of long term Hong Kong resident, other than that I don’t have any other information other than this a very cool. It is hand made of copper, the very top of his head is missing a pie...

Good Shiwan censer with beautiful and subtle white flambé moon white glaze circa late 19th or early 20th century - there is one hairline on the rim noted in enlargements. D: 15cm/5.8in and H: 9cm/3.5i

Beautiful, unopened, three paneled, semi antique, woman’s sarong from Flores Island (probably Ende), Indonesia. Circa 1950 +/-. All hand spun and woven cotton and natural dyes. Very soft and in perfect condition. The incorporation of indigo dyes is quite subtle giving it the depth. L: 142cm/56in and W: 158cm/60in. Free Shipping

Quirky jack wood kitchen vegetable cutting board. I acquired this in Sri Lanka but it could also be Tamil. Beautiful patina naturally smooth surface. . L: 46.5cm/17.9in and W: 29.5cm/11.6in, and H: 4.5cm/1.8in.

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.

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...

Republic or a little later, black and red lacquered “Dou” offering stem bowl (usually fruit) for an ancestral altar table, with gilt garden and scholar’s theme. This from Guangdong and made for a Chaozhou family, aka Teo Chew, aka Chiu Chow. W: 21cm/8.2in and H: 13cm/5.1 in. There is some warpage, noted in enlargements but if just turn it the right way you won’t notice.