Catalog (100)

Hardwood vintage sculpture of an African ancestor image, from the Songye ethnic group, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Old piece, circa 1960s or 1970s a couple of cracks and repairs.. H: 45 cm/17.8in.

Fine strand of prewar WWII, glass Venetian trade beads from Africa, L: 58cm/23in. These are strung on a contemporary cotton green string with copper wire fastener. Included on this strand is large “faux” amber center bead attached on a secondary strand of African sand cast beads. The Venetians have ostrich shell spacer disc beads. Free shipping!

Genuine antique Shan lacquer box circa late 19thCE. Most Burmese lacquer being offered on the internet purported to be antique are vintage at best and new at worst. I acquired this in Yunnan, China along the Burmese border but of Shan (nationality in China). Although there is some damage the craftsmanship is exquisite which is why I put a grain of sand in a couple of the images to put the work into perspective. Personally I prefer Shan lacquer more than Burmese because the designs tend to...

Very fine old skirt from a Northern Chin ethnic group, Myanmar. The indigo dyed upper panel is woven with very soft handspun local cotton while lower embroidered panel is all silk. Please note enlargements to see the delicacy of the work. Circa: early to mid 20th century. Good condition. L: 138cm/54in and W: 80cm/31.5in. Free shipping.

Fine cowrie shell necklace from northwest Burma, probably Naga on a hand woven macramé cotton cord. This is an old set, circa 80 years with an excellent worn natural patina and almost porcelain like surface these need to be handled to be appreciated. Please note that each bead is hand carved to nest into the other so when strung together and worn the necklace hangs in a circular fashion. Cowrie shells are probably the most ubiquitous ornament to have ever adorned a human being sin...

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.

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.

Elegant ebony wood carving of a Balinese beauty circa 1960 to 1970- possibly older. This was obviously created for the tourist market and panders to the Western ideal of the female form of the time. I traveled to Bali in the 80s and 90s and found their arts and crafts leaning more to the impressionist side, where figures looked like the Navi from Avatar. Given its hardness and cost, ebony is usually only given to master craftsman to carve from. I tried digging into the bottom with my trus...

A collection of four well carved lime or tobacco containers with incised designs. H; 16.5cm/6.5in- 12.3cm/4.8in.

Beautiful women’s apron style skirt from the Bahnar (Ba Na) ethnic group, Central Highlands of Vietnam. Woven from fine handspun cotton using all indigo and natural dyes. The weaving is very intricate and refined. This piece is has small tear at the corner (see last enlargement) and a couple of frays but otherwise excellent condition and dates to 1960 to 1970. Google Bahnar Bob Mc Kerrow to view photos of women wearing this kind of garment taken in the early 70s. Dimensions of belt without fri...

Women’s skirt from the Bahnar (Ba Na) ethnic group from the Central Highlands of Vietnam, woven from fine handspun cotton using all natural dyes. The weaving is very intricate and refined, note the use of narrow warp ikat bands throughout this piece. This is one single panel which would have used to make three other skirts. See last enlargement for a complete example. L: 2.9meter/9.5feet and W: 66cm/26in. I have two complete skirts- please contact if interested.

Good shell pendant made from a conch from the Ban Chiang or Lopburi Bronze Age Culture, Central Thailand circa 300BCE- 200CE- possibly much older. The spiral is one of most ancient of all designs, it is understandable why people would find this so attractive. D: 6cm/2.4in.Free shipping.

Fine and rare large conch shell pendant from Central Thailand Bronze Age, Ban Chiang or Lopburi cultures circa 300BCE-500CE. Superb condition with minimal calcification may still be worn! The spiral is one ancient humans most universal motifs in adornment, it is understandable why people were drawn to this. Included is a museum quality perspex stand (total H: 14.5cm/5.6in). Maximum D: 7.7cm/3in and W: 3.4cm/1.5in. There areas with traces of an azurite color indicating this was buried ...

Colorful hand woven beaded shoulder cloth from the Batak people, Sumatra. This piece is quiet lively and complicated with gold treads, and large “Rasta” colored diamond patterned warp embroidered bands. The “Dame Madi Hita” is Batak language and is embroidered on both sides of the center which refers to a blessing bestowed by the giver to the recipient. Ulos cloths play an important role in Batak communities in that they are ritually used to express affection and sincerity be...

Women’s three paneled silk dress circa 1970 to 1990, hand woven from Bhutan. Minor fraying along one side where as well some pinholes and stains. L: 2.3m/90in and W: 1.43m/56in.

Good Kayan Orang Ulu gawai rice festival ceremonial mask, circa 40 years old, from Sarawak. I bought this piece in Kuching, Sarawak in 2003. Used only twice a year for rice planting and harvesting festivals (gawai), these gatherings were usually a good excuse for a party and celebration to encourage the spirits to ensure a good harvest. H: 25cm/9.8in and W: 16cm/6.2in.

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 ...

Basket from Northern Burma probaby from the Rawang or other Kachin related group. . Approximately 50 or 60 years old. Increasingly difficult to source, this is a fine example of Burmese tribal basketry. Condition: good natural polished feel to the surface, a couple of “breaks” on upper rim of basket. The hole in the handle lid seems to intentional, as it has the same wear as the rest of the piece. Dimensions: 20cm/8in height 15.5cm/6.2in diameter.

Very old (over 50 years) which is ancient by Burmese lacquer standards. This was possibly made by the Shan who favored dramatic geometric designs over the more figural Burman style. This has some fritting on the lacquer. H: 24cm/9.5in D: 18cm/7.1in.

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.

Nice old Cambodian lacquered basket. Very few things survived the reign of the Khmer Rouge which makes old baskets quite rare. Circa 70 years old, there are some old repairs noted in the enlargements. D: 30cm/11.8in and H: 11cm/4.2in.

Old hand carved wooden ink pad box circa first half 20th century. I think this is probably a Yao item, but as I purchased it in a Bai ethnic minority market in Yunnan, over 20 years ago, we’ll assume it is Bai. This has a floral pattern carved on the lid. The ink has long ago dried up. Nice natural patina. L: 7.2cm/2.9in x W: 5.8cm/2.3in x H: 3.2cm/1.3in.

Rare men’s loin cloth from the Northern Chin, Haka group Burma. Mantle of Merit: Barbara Fraser has a good write up on these, and has a couple of pieces dating to late 19th to early 20th century, she also writes these were rarely used after 1950 circa first half 20th century. The two end panels are different colors of which the lighter blue colored is original while the darker piece.. Made from hand spun cotton with silk patterns. A few small holes, the worst being noted in enlargeme...

Very rare man’s ceremonial tunic from the Chin ethnic group, probably Falam Township, Chin State Myanmar. I would consider this an antique heirloom blanket between 1910-1940 finely woven from hand spun cotton thread and natural dyes. This incorporates the classic Chin diamond twill weft pattern as well as double side embroidery. W: 128cm/50.5in and L; 189cm/74.5in. This only one from this Chin group I have ever managed to collect. Please note last enlargement for some guys wearing this type of...

Fine example of Chin weaving from Myanmar, probably from the Khami subgroup. Complete front breast panel from the Chin State. All hand spun cotton circa 50/70 years old. One repair and frayed on the top minor repair (may be seen in image of the back). L: 67cm/26.3in and W: 36cm/14.1in. Free shipping. airmail.

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. Bought this about 20 years ago in Kuching. ...

Good antique storage basket from the Bidayuh people of Sarawak. The lid is made from the skin of a sambar deer while the basket plaiting is rattan and the inside is lined with bark. I purchased this Kuching, Sarawak in 1988, and it was old at the time, so it's 38 years older now. There is a hole in the lid as well as some loss to the bark lining- please examine enlargements. H: 5ocm/19in and D: 35.5cm/14in.

Women’s jacket from the Dong minority in Longsheng Terraces, Guangxi Zhuang, China. The black outer cloth is commercial denim, the lining is handmade indigo cotton with a beautiful purple hand embroidered panels on the back and upper sleeves. Some damage (please examine enlargements) but repairable or very wearable as is. Chest width 50cm/19.5in, total end to end arm length 153cm/61in and shoulder to bottom height 72cm/28.3in. Held to together by a hand woven ribbon it is a bit �...

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

Charming votive folk embroidery, from the Saurashtra area of Gujarat, made by the Kanbi farmers caste, circa 50/60 years old. The two ply field is woven from all hand spun rough cotton thread; hand dyed silk thread and small glass mirrors. Ganesh is flanked by two female consorts and his “vehicle” of mice beneath him. These are brought out during religious and auspicious festivals, he traditionally has been viewed as the remover obstacles. Excellent condition. W: 54cm/21.1in and H: 56cm/22in...

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

Rare and unusual Iban pottery pattern paddle carved from durable Iron Wood (Belian wood), circa 19th century. The pattern on this would be pressed into unfired clay pots to give it this design by the Iban people of Sarawak. This technique has been used since Neolithic times predating the pottery wheel, where pots were made by coiling “ropes” of clay into a shape and then using the paddle to press the coils together to make a shape. The edge is rough at the bottom of the handle other than tha...

A pair of small “utility” knives made by Iban people of Sarawak, East Malaysia. These were frequently carried in the sheaths of their larger brothers, the Dayak mandau. The blades are hand forged, possibly scavenged steel from the leaf springs form an old car. Circa last half of the 20th century. The longer thinner knife has carved deer horn at one end (repaired see enlargement) . See enlargements to see details of the carvings. Both blades are sharp and serviceable. Lengths: 53c...

Fine and rare old rattan “tali” basket with a contracted mouth from the Idu Mishmi ethnic group of Arunachal Pradesh, India. In India they are primarily animist but in China where they are known as the Lhoba they have a strong spiritual affiliations with Tibetan Buddhism. Google “Bamboo and Cane Culture of Arunchal Pradesh” and you will get a good description of this regional craft. As Sino/Arunachal Pradesh border is disputed with China (it should be noted this where the Dal...

Formal Indian Sari (just like the ones you see in Bollywood movies), worn for weddings or important religious occasions. This has never been worn. I acquired it from an estate where it has been sitting in a trunk for the past 20 years, and the inside humdity, which caused the brown dye to bleed into the embroidered border somewhat. Please examine images. This L: 5m x 1.4m and is handloomed silk. It was woven in Banaras in the two toned Tanchoi style and silver thread “jari” embroidery. In ...

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.